140 



THE HUNTER'S ARCADIA. 



is not an ambuscade, inquisitiveness induces it to 

 pry further, when the secret is discovered. This 

 may occasionally be the case ; but more frequently, 

 I think, they find their prey by noting an unusual 

 number of scavenger-beetles hurrying in one direction 

 and following them up. And, lastly, the sight of 

 a jackal, with his nose in the air, or of a hyena 

 upon the trail of something, will bring every raven 

 in the vicinity around him to watch his proceedings, 

 well knowing, as they doubtless do, that these 

 nocturnal gentry would not be abroad in daylight 

 unless there were attractions worthy of such out- 

 of-time exertion. As soon as the raven discovers 

 the carrion, like a very foolish creature, it begins 

 to publish to the world its success, when every one 

 of its species hastens to participate in the banquet. 

 Before condemning them, however, for doing 

 this, it would be well to learn if a trade-union does not 

 exist among these birds. Whether or not such 

 be the case, the vulture, high aloft, notes this 

 stir among the sable gentry, and knowing well, 

 from experience, what it means, closes its wings 

 and comes to earth with sufficient velocity to 

 indicate that it does not intend to be the last at the 



