FLY-CATCHER. RAVEN. 63 



This species is also one of the latest of our summer migrants 

 appearing upon our shores ; and on its arrival at once pre- 

 pares for the duties of incubation ; and, so limited is the time 

 allotted, that we are almost tempted to believe they had 

 paired upon their passage. 



Habitat Northern Africa. 



SUB-ORDER CONIROSTRES (CONE-BILLED- 



BIRDS). 



FAMILY XIIL CORVID.E (CROWS). 



GENUS XXX CORVUS (CROW). 



SPECIES 62 THE RAVEN. 



Corvus corax. Linn. 

 Corbeau noir. Temm. 



THE RAVEN is one of the most interesting of our Irish birds, 

 as well from its grave, noble, and dignified appearance, as 

 from the interest attached to it by legend, history, and poetry, 

 all of these having invested this solemn -looking bird with their 

 various attributes. 



The raven is a species but rarely coming under our notice 

 in the vicinity of Dublin, although believed to be more com- 

 mon than it really is, from other birds of the family being 

 confounded with it. 



To seethe raven in its native home we must look towards the 

 precipices of our northern and western coast, where, unmolested 

 in its haunts, and not subjected to any wanton annoyance, it 

 seems worthy of the honours and dishonours which have been 

 heaped so unsparingly upon it. Although not possessing the 

 graceful bearing and deportment distinguishing the noble 

 falcon, there is something in the austere dignity of the raven 

 which awes us into admiration. His black and gloomy ap- 

 pearance is in admirable accordance with the lonely and de- 

 solate haunts it frequents. Perched upon some rifted crag, 

 beneath the shadow of the precipice, he seems the seneschal of 

 the shore, watching whatever prey is cast upon its terri- 

 tory. Adapting himself to all localities, he lives indifferently 

 upon carrion, stranded fish, worms, insects, and young birds ; 

 and in spring, occasionally, young lambs may be treated ra- 

 ther dubiously with the raven's protection ; generally, how* 

 ever, no kind of putrid or decayed animal matter comes amiss. 



