259 



experience that, if tlie .Mephistophelean-like ejes of 

 the powerful marauder, attired in his funereal coat, dis- 

 covered their precious treasures they would soon be 

 ''gobbled up" to help supply Mr. Raven's gastrc-noraic 

 needs, which are great, and likewise most varying, as 

 is the case with all omnivorous animals. 



THEY CONSUME MANY INSECTS. 



The Kaven will consume annually a good many in- 

 sects, particularly the numerous ground-inhabiting 

 and wood-destroying beetles; crickets, grasshoppers 

 and "grub wcirms" he eats with great gusto. 



Beetles and grubs he generally finds about old 

 stumps and dead logs. On two occasions I have seen 

 Ravens hunting in newly plowed ground for larvae, 

 beetles and mice. They feed on different kinds of 

 small mammals, besides young Hares, as previously 

 mentioned; and they have been known to attack and 

 kill Flying Squirrels and Chipmunks, but their usual 

 articles of food in the w^ay of mammals are the differ- 

 ent species of mice which abound in woods and fields. 



EAT BERRIES, NUTS, FROGS AND SNAKES. 



Ravens will eat, with great relish, different kinds 

 of berries which grow wild, and often in great abund- 

 ance, in the mountainous districts. Cherry, peach and 

 apple trees, which aie not uncommon in many wild 

 mountainous places remote from human habitation. 

 are often visited by Ravens to feed on the ripe or 

 T'ipening fruit. In the Autumn or Winter season, like 

 the Ruffed Grouse, Ravens may be seen at times hunt- 

 ing abO'Ut apple trees for the seeds of the fruit which 

 they collect from the ground, or by pecking into the 



