THE RAVELS. 175 



colour extends to the bill and feet ; but the feathers 

 above are edged with blue, which makes the whole 

 have that intermediate tint to which dyers give the 

 name of corbeau or raven grey. The edges in the first 

 plumage upon the young bird are whitish, and the 

 whole appearance at that age is lighter. The feathers 

 on the throat are pointed something like those upon 

 the eagle, and on the neck behind they are long and 

 silky, and can be made to form a sort of ruff. The 

 claws of the raven are long and strong, but they are 

 not so much hooked as those of the smaller crows. 

 The feet are firm, strong, and well adapted for walk- 

 ing, and they are mailed with strong plates. The bill 

 of the raven is very formidable ; it is long, strong, a 

 good deal curved, and fortified by a ridge in the upper 

 mandible ; the mandibles are very hard and sharp at 

 the points ; and though it be not so well adapted for 

 laying hold and tearing as the beaks of the birds of 

 prey, it is a most efficient weapon for inflicting a wound ; 

 and the habits of the bird are suited for giving it the 

 full effect. The attack for prey, and the defence 

 against quadrupeds (no bird will attack the raven on 

 the ground), is always made upon the ground, and 

 comes when the animal is not upon its guard. It is 

 generally aimed at the eyes, but wherever it takes 

 effect, it is severely felt, and even a reasonably bold 

 dog is not over fond of facing a raven. It does not 

 strike out with the neck like the heron, indeed the 

 shortness of its neck disqualifies it for that mode of 

 action ; but it darts from the legs, and increases its 

 velocity by striking the v^ngs obliquely backward 

 against the air. The distance to which it projects 



