n THE CROW. 



his hiding-place, and there conceal it. The cook now 

 laid open the mystery, for on searching this place, he 

 not only drew out this spoon, but a dozen more along 

 with it. 



In the wild state, the Raven is a most greedy and 

 ferocious bird. He destroys and devours any helpless 

 animal that falls within his power. About his food, he 

 has not the least delicacy. No kind of flesh, whether 

 living, or long dead, comes amiss to him. Any thing 

 which is lame or sick, and which he, can master, or 

 which once had life, excites his craving appetite, and 

 he falls eagerly to work to satisfy it. Having eaten all 

 he can himself, he then goes and gives notice to his 

 fellow Ravens of his good fortune, and invites them to 

 go and partake of what he has left. 



The Raven is not, like the eagle and falcon, a bold* 

 and courageous warrior, who attacks animals in the 

 vigour of life, and thus gives them a chance of escap- 

 ing if they can ; but he is a base and cowardly assas- 

 sin, who attacks the young or the disabled, when they 

 can make no resistance. In his disposition, he is art- 

 ful, mean, and cruel, and in his habits unclean and vo- 

 racious. 



Such is the character of the Raven. In it we find 

 nothing generous, or noble, or any thing that is worthy 

 of imitation ; but on the contrary, every part of his 

 conduct is hateful and worthy only to be despised. 

 Even his colour is made to correspond with the dark- 

 ness of his character. 



The Raven has always been considered a bini of 

 ill omen. Its croakings were supposed to be a sign, 

 that some evil was about to happen to one or more of 



