158 CROW. 



in the art of fowling, like the hawk ; may be taught to 

 fetch and carry, like the spaniel ; and even to speak, like 

 the parrot. Goldsmith assures us that it may be brought to 

 imitate any vocal music ; and that he heard one sing a 

 ludicrous song with great distinctness, truth, and humour. 

 As a domestic inmate, the raven possesses many 

 qualities that render him extremely amusing. Active, 

 curious, and impudent, he pries into every thing : plays 

 a number of antic tricks ; and never fails to conciliate the 

 favour of the cook-maid, conscious of her ability to reward 

 him. Being by nature a glutton, and by habit a thief, he 

 purloins every thing to gratify his appetite, and even 

 hoards what he cannot enjoy. 



In a state of nature the raven is a most voracious plun- 

 derer. He preys equally on the living and the dead ; and, 

 after having sufficiently crammed himself, flies to com- 

 municate tidings of his spoil to his companions. His scent 

 is most exquisite, by which he can distinguish carrion at 

 a prodigious distance. 



The raven generally builds a nest in trees, and lays five 

 or six eggs at a time. It is not fond of the vicinity of 

 towns, but prefers the most unfrequented places. A re- 

 markable superstition has prevailed in favour of this bird 

 from remote antiquity : even at this time the Swedes re- 

 gard it as sacred, and no one offers to molest it. In 

 longevity it equals any of the feathered race ; according to 

 Hesiod, it will live nine times as long as man ; and, though 

 this is an exaggeration, it is certain that some of them 

 have reached a hundred years. 



THE CROW. 



The bird, which usually receives the appellation of the 

 carrion-crow, resembles the raven in shape, appetites, 

 and manners. It is about eighteen inches long, and the 

 expansion of its wings is upwards of two feet. Its 

 colour is well known, and its habits are extremely dis- 

 gusting. 



England produces more birds of this kind than any other 



