NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Habits, amusing qualities, &c. 



hooked on the upper pai;t, and the feet are armed 

 with large crooked claws. 



Ravens arc found in every region of the world, 

 being naturally strong and hardy, and uninflu- 

 enced by the. changes of the weather; when 

 other birds seem numbed with cold, or pining 

 with famine, the raven is active and healthy, bu- 

 sily employed in prowling for prey, or sporting 

 in the coldest atmosphere. 



It frequents the neighbourhood of great towns ; 

 where it is useful in devouring the carrion and 

 filth, which it scents at a vast distance : and, 

 being possessed of a considerable share of cun- 

 ning, it is generally careful in keeping beyond 

 the reach of a gun. 



When taken from the nest, and reared up as a 

 domestic, the raven becomes very familiar, and 

 possesses many qualities that render him highly 

 amusing. Busy, inquisitive, and impudent, he 

 goes every where, affronts and drives off the 

 dogs, plays his tricks on the poultry, and is par- 

 ticularly assiduous in cultivating the good-will of 

 the cook-maid, who is generally his favourite in 

 the* family. But with these amusing qualities, 

 he blends many vices and defects. He is a glut- 

 ton by nature, and a thief by habit, lie does 

 not confine himself to petty depredations on the 

 pantry or the larder, for the gratification of his 

 nppetite: but aims at more magnificent plunder, 

 which he can neither exhibit nor enjoy, but 

 which, like a miser, he rests satisfied with having 



