184 OMNIVOILE. 



the nests. In some places, where a long range of precipice 

 stands on the southern brow of a hill, in a district covered in 

 many places with brakes, and abounding with birds and wild 

 game, the ravens dwell in peace; but people occasionally 

 gather up the young which they find croaking in the bushes 

 under the precipice. When taken they strike with their 

 bills, but the only taming that they require is being fed ; and 

 they make excellent warders, as few dogs, unless they have 

 been trained, will go in upon a raven. The stroke is very 

 powerful, and given not by the mere motion of the neck, but 

 with the neck stiff, and the whole weight of the body thrown 

 by a simultaneous movement of the legs and wings ; and the 

 bird comes on as if the whole of it were a sharp, feathered, 

 and self-directed dart. 



The hop of the raven suits his purpose well when he beats 

 the long grass and bushes for eggs, young birds, and leverets. 

 He flings himself into the air with wonderful ease; and 

 when he has cleared the bush he lets himself down with 

 equal softness, so that the feet slide to the ground but do not 

 touch it. The raven thus comes more stealthily upon his 

 prey than almost any other predatory bird ; and though he 

 does not repeat his hoarse and dismal croak till he discovers 

 something stir the vegetation, in the act of hiding itself 

 more closely, he comes upon it hopping, and before it is 

 aware. 



He moves from place to place on the wing, and a bold 

 and strong wing it is, less easily hurt by the storm than 

 most others; but he does not beat so much while flying. 

 He gains some high point, and there he sits surveying the 

 whole horizon which it commands, till something promising 

 appears. Then, away he wings, low and stealthy, and lets 

 himself down softly before he arrives at it. Thence he 

 hops, in a spiral or zig-zag, always appearing as if he were to 

 pass in an oblique direction, but nearing his object at every 

 hop. 



