2 RAVEN. 



magnitude, as differ the stars that sparkle in the expanse of the pure 

 heavens, — of the diversity of aspect in our western plains, our sandy 

 southern shores, interspersed with reedy swamps, and the cliffs that pro- 

 tect our eastern coasts, — of the rapid currents of the Mexican Gulf, and 

 the rushing tide streams of the Bay of Fundy, — of our ocean-lakes, our 

 mighty rivers, our thundering cataracts, our majestic mountains, rearing 

 their snowy heads into the calm regions of the clear cold sky ? Would that 

 I could delineate to you the varied features of that loved land ! But, un- 

 willing, as I always am, to attempt the description of objects beyond my 

 comprehension, you will, I hope, allow me to tell you all that I know of 

 those which I have admired in youth, and studied in manhood, — for the 

 acquisition of which I have braved the enervating heats of the south, and 

 the cramping colds of the north, penetrated the tangled cane-swamp, thrid 

 the dubious trail of the silent forest, paddled my frail canoe in the creeks 

 of the marshy shore, and swept in my gallant bark o'er the swelling waves 

 of the ocean. And now. Kind Reader, let me resume my descriptions, and 

 proceed towards the completion of a task which, with reverence would I 

 say it, seems to have been imposed upon me by Him who called me into 

 existence. 



In the United States, the Raven is in some measure a migratory bird, 

 individuals retiring to the extreme south during severe winters, but re- 

 turning towards the Middle, Western, and Northern Districts, at the first 

 indications of milder weather. A few are known to breed in the moun- 

 tainous portions of South Carohna, but instances of this kind are rare, 

 and are occasioned merely by the security aflForded by inaccessible preci- 

 pices, in which they may rear their young. Their usual places of resort 

 are the mountains, the abrupt banks of rivers, the rocky shores of lakes, 

 and the cliffs of thinly-peopled or deserted islands. It is in such places 

 that these birds must be watched and examined, before one can judge of 

 their natural habits, as manifested amid their freedom from the dread of 

 their most dangerous enemy, the lord of the creation. 



There, through the clear and rarifled atmosphere, the Raven spreads 

 his glossy wings and tail, and, as he onward sails, rises higher and higher 

 each bold sweep that he makes, as if conscious that the nearer he ap- 

 proaches the sun, the more splendent will become the tints of his plumage. 

 Intent on convincing his mate of the fervour and constancy of his love, 

 he now gently glides beneath her, floats in the buoyant air, or saUs by her 

 side. Would that I could describe to you, reader, the many musical in- 



