Raven. INSESSORES. CORVUS. 347 



But its appetite is not confined merely within these useful 

 hmits, for it often commits great destruction amongst lambs 

 and sickly sheep, which it leaves to a miserable and lingering 

 death, after having picked out the eyes. Young ducks, 

 chickens, and goslings, also frequently fall a sacrifice to its 

 voracity. For the above reasons, perpetual war is made 

 upon the breed by the shepherds and husbandmen, and it is 

 perhaps in some countries only saved from extermination by 

 the secluded or inaccessible nature of the places in which it 

 builds its nest. The Raven is said to possess the sense of 

 smell in an exquisite degree of perfection, and to scent its 

 food at a surprising distance *. Even at Hudson's Bay, 

 where the severity of the frost very rapidly destroys the 

 effluvia of dead matter, these birds assemble in troops, from 

 all quarters, very soon after the slaughter of an animal, al- 

 though at the time it takes place not one of them is to be 

 seen on the wing. In a state of freedom, the Raven is very 

 wary, and can rarely be taken by surprise. When young it 

 is easily domesticated, and may be taught a variety of tricks, 

 as well as to articulate a few words. It is, however, always 

 bold and mischievous, and displays its natural cunning in 

 constantly pilfering. Any bright objects, as silver, glass, 

 &c. are particularly alluring ; and these it secretes in some 

 hole or crevice, thus establishing a regular depository for 

 its thefts. Some curious anecdotes relative to this subject 

 may be found in the works of authors on natural history -f*. 



It builds upon the loftiest trees, or on steep and inacces- Nest, &c. 

 sible rocks. The nest is composed of sticks, lined with wool, 

 hair, &c. The eggs are of an oil-green colour, blotched with 

 darker stains ; are generally five or six in number, and 



" There are now great doubts about the perfection of this sense, both 

 with regard to the Vultures and Crows. From experiments made it should 

 appear, that the detection of their prey, &c. is attributable rather to their 

 acuteness of sight than of smell. 



+ See Mont. Ornith. Diet, article Raven ; White's Nat. Hist, of Sel- 

 borne, &c. ; and " Northern Zoology," article Raven. 



