32 liAVEX. 



in small flocks of about a score. Th3y defend their young 

 with great courage against the attacks of other birds, even 

 those that are much their own superiors in size; though they 

 tamely suffer them to be kidnapped by men or bovs. 



In this country Ravens are extremely shy and wary, their 

 dark side only, if so one may say of them, being looked upon, 

 and persecution being the order of tho day; but where their 

 good points are more appreciated, they are seen in considerable 

 numbers, even near towns, and shew themselves pert and con- 

 fident. When young they are easily tamed, and may be taught 

 to utter a few words, and to perform a variety of tricks. 

 'They are, however, always bold and mischievous, sagacious, 

 and sharp-sighted, and display their natural cunning in con- 

 stantly pilfering. Any bright objects, as silver, glass, etc., 

 are particularly alluring; and these they secrete in some hole 

 or crevice, thus establishing a regular depository for their 

 thefts.' A dozen silver spoons have been found in one of 

 these, the discovery having been made by Ralph being detected 

 in the act of flying off with a 'silver spoon in his mouth.' 

 It is said that these birds wer3 formerly trained to catch 

 others. They will pursue even the Buzzard, the Goshawk, or 

 the Eagle, to endeavour to obtain from him his own capture. 



A 'Book of Anecdotes' might be compiled relative to the 

 Raven, and I deeply regret that I cannot do him the justice 

 that I w r ould in this respect. One kept at an inn, is related 

 to have been in the habit of taking a seat on the top of 

 some one of the coaches, the coachman of which was a friend 

 of his, until he met some returning coach, driven by another 

 friend, with whom he used to come back. 



Mr. Thompson gives the following: 'It was a common 

 practice in a spacious yard at Belfast, to lay trains of corn 

 tor Sparrows, and to shoot them from a window, only so far 

 open as to afford room for the muzzle of the gun; neither 

 tho instrument of destruction, nor the shooter being visible 

 from the outside. A tame Raven, which was a nestling when 

 brought to th3 yard, and probably had never seen a shot 

 iired, afforded evidence that it understood the whole affair. 

 When any one appeared carrying a gun across the yard towards 

 the house from which the Sparrows wore fired at, the Raven 

 exhibited the utmost alarm, by hurrying off with all possible 

 speed, but in a ludicrously awkward gait, to hide itself, 

 screaming loudly all the wdiile. Though alarmed for its own 

 safety, this bird always concealed itself near to and within 



