|g$ _ 



THE RAVEN. 79 



1 



proof, neither need we believe that they can ; for as we may- 

 account for the phenomenon by their sight, it is unnecessary 

 to have recourse to their other faculties. Ravens have cha- 

 racter in their flight, as men have in their walk. A poet 

 sauntering by a river, a conchologist or fisherman hunting along 

 the shore for shells, a sportsman searching the woods and 

 fields for game, a lady running home from a shower, or a 

 gentleman retreating from a mad bull, move each in a different 

 manner, suiting the action to the occasion. In like manner, 

 ravens, as well as other birds, might communicate intelligence, 

 perhaps, several miles distant, judging by the flight of their 

 neighbors, that they had a prize in view. In this way, a 

 system of telegraphing could be extended over a large extent 

 of country, and a great number of birds might be made to 

 assemble in a single day. 



When domesticated and treated with kindness, the European 

 raven, as well as our native variety, becomes attached to his 

 owner, and will follow him about the garden or house, with all 

 the familiarity of a confiding friend. 



FOOD AND MANAGEMENT. 



Although the raven is omnivorous, its chief food is carrion, 

 by which is here meant the carcases of sheep, horses, cattle, 

 deer, and other quadrupeds, dolphins and cetaceous animals in 

 general, as well as fishes that have been cast ashore. In 

 autumn, it sometimes commits great havoc among grain, and 

 in spring, it occasionally destroys young lambs. It has also 

 been accused of killing diseased sheep by picking out their 

 eyes ; but of this there is no satisfactory evidence. It annoys 

 the housewives sometimes by flying off with young poultry, 

 and especially by breaking and sucking eggs which the ducks 

 or hens may have deposited, as they frequently do, among the 

 herbage. 



When these birds are intended to fly about, the young must 

 be removed when half fledged, about twelve days after they 



m> — -— ■ 





