BRITISH BIRDS. 73 



The Raven is well known in all parts of the 

 world, and in times of ignorance and superstition 

 was regarded as a bird of ill omen, announcing, by 

 its croaking, impending calamities ; of such vast 

 importance was it considered, that the various 

 modulations of its voice were studied with the most 

 careful attention, and were made use of by artful 

 and designing men to mislead the ignorant and 

 credulous. It is a very long-lived bird, and is 

 supposed sometimes to live a century or more. It 

 is fond of carrion, which it scents at a great dis- 

 tance; it will destroy rabbits, young ducks, and 

 chickens : and has been known to seize on young 

 lambs, and even sheep, when sick or weak, and 

 pick out their eyes, while yet alive ; it will suck 

 the eggs of other birds ; it feeds also on earth- 

 worms, reptiles, and even shell-fish, when urged 

 by hunger. It may be rendered very tame and 

 familiar, and has often been taught to pronounce 

 a variety of words : it is a crafty bird, and will 

 frequently pick up things of value, such as rings, 

 money, &c., and carry them to its hiding place. 

 They build early in the spring, in trees and the 

 holes of rocks, laying five or six eggs, of a pale 

 bluish green, spotted with brown. The female sits 

 about twenty days, and is constantly attended by 

 the male, who not only provides her with abund- 

 ance of food, but relieves her in turn, and takes her 

 place in the nest. The natives of Greenland eat 

 the flesh, and make a covering for themselves with 

 the skins of these birds, which they wear next their 

 bodies. 



VOL. I. 



