31 



EAVEN. 



CORBIE. CORBIE-CROW. GREAT CORBIE-CROW. 



Corvus corax, PENS ANT. MOUTAGU. 



Corvus A Crow. (Latin.) CoraxA Crow. (Greek.) 



THE geographical distribution of the Raven is soon described. 

 He is a citizen of the world. His sable plumage reflects the 

 burning sun of the equator, and his shadow falls upon the 

 regions of perpetual snow; he alights on the jutting peak of 

 the most lofty mountain, and haunts the centre of the vast 

 untrodden plain; his hoarse cry startles the solitude of the 

 dense primeval forest, and echoes among the rocks of the lonely 

 island of the ocean: no 'ultima Thule' is a 'terra incognita' 

 to him ; Arctic and Antarctic are both alike the home of the 

 Corbie-Crow. 'In the best and most ancient of books,' says 

 Wilson, 'we learn, that at the end of forty days, after the 

 great flood had covered the earth, Noah, wishing to ascertain 

 whether or no the waters had abated, sent forth a Raven, 

 which did not return into the ark.' 



The Raven is, in some degree, migratory; though not, as 

 it would appear, instinctively so; but only when circumstances 

 make a change of situation desirable. 



However the naturalist may look with complacency on the 

 exterior of the Raven, yet it must be admitted that, judging 

 by the standard of our own morality, his internal character 

 corresponds therewith in blackness. But in truth we must 

 not so judge him. He fulfils, and no doubt perfectly fulfils, 

 his allotted place in creation; and has, moreover, more than 

 oiu' redeeming feature, even in the view of an oblique cen- 

 sorship. The union of the male and female Raven is for life; 

 they are generally seen singly, or in pairs, but occasionally 



