THE RAVEN'S CLUMP. 155 



paratively secure from sudden surprise, they in- 

 culcate in their offspring early habits of indepen- 

 dence, and appear to superintend their education 

 in the art of flying. 



When fully able to shift for themselves the 

 young family are left to their own resources, and 

 the original proprietors of the eyrie return to the fir 

 clump, and haunt the park throughout the greater 

 portion of the year. During very severe weather, 

 accompanied by frost and snow, the raven is sadly 

 puzzled to procure an honest subsistence in this 

 neighbourhood : he is by nature a scavenger, not 

 a poacher ; his structure entirely adapts him for 

 fulfilling the duties and satisfying the wants of 

 the former calling. Unprovided with hooked 

 beak or prehensile claws, he seeks not to attack 

 any living creature as long as a dead animal 

 remains on the surface of the earth. Then, 

 indeed, his hard, conical bill, his keen sense of 

 smell, piercing sight, and goule-like appetite, 

 stand him in good stead, but if, during long- 

 continued frost, he should happen still to lin- 

 ger for a while in this neighbourhood, he looks 

 the very picture of despair, as in pensive attitude 

 and with muffled plumage, his dusky figure may 

 be noticed perched on some withered bough. 

 Then, indeed, 



" Othello's occupation's gone," 



