fi RAVEN. 



capable of imitating the human voice, so that individuals have sometimes 

 been taught to enunciate a few words with great distinctness. 



On the ground the Raven walks in a stately manner, its motions ex- 

 hibiting a kind of thoughtful consideration, almost amounting to gravity. 

 While walking it frequently moves up its wings as if to keep their muscles 

 in action. I never knew an instance of their roosting in the woods, al- 

 though they frequently alight on trees, to which they sometimes resort 

 for the purpose of procuring nuts and other fruits. They usually betake 

 themselves at night to high rocks, in situations protected from the nor- 

 therly winds. Possessing to all appearance the faculty of judging of the 

 coming weather, they remove from the higher, wild and dreary districts 

 where they breed, into the low lands, at the approach of winter, when 

 they are frequently seen along the shores of the sea, collecting the garbage 

 that has been cast to land, or picking up the shell-fit-h as the tide retires. 

 They are vigilant, industrious, and, when the safety of their young or nest 

 is at stake, courageous, driving away hawks and eagles whenever they 

 happen to come near, although in no case do they venture to attack man. 

 Indeed, it is extremely difficult to get within shot of an old Raven. I 

 have more than once been only a few yards from one while it was sitting 

 on its eggs, having attained this proximity by creeping cautiously to the 

 overhanging edge of a precipice ; but the moment the bird perceived me, 

 it would fly off apparently in much confusion. They are so cunning and 

 wary, that they can seldom be caught in a trap ; and they vnU watch one 

 intended for a fox, a wolf, or a bear, until one of these animals comes up, 

 and is taken, when they wiU go to it and eat the alluring bait. 



While at Little Macatina Harbour, on the coast of Labrador, in July 

 1833, I saw a Raven's nest placed under the shelvings of the rugged and 

 fearful rocks that form one side of that singular place. The young 

 were nearly fledged, and now and then called loudly to their parents, as 

 if to inquire why our vessel had come there. One of them in attempting 

 to fly away fell into the water. It was secured, when I trimmed one of 

 its wings, and turned it loose on the deck along with some other birds. 

 The mother, however, kept sailing high over the schooner, repeating some 

 notes, which it seems the young one understood, for it walked carefully to 

 the end of the bowsprit, opened its wings, and tried to fly, but being un- 

 able, fell into the water and was drowned. In a few days the rest of the 

 family left the place, and we saw no more of them. Some of the sailors 

 Avho had come to the harbour eight years in succession, assured me that they 



