476 RAVEN. 



large, of a broadly elliptical, compressed form, 1 inch in length, 10 

 twelfths in breadth ; its lateral muscles of considerable thickness, the 

 left being 4 twelfths ; the tendons large ; the epithelium very dense, 

 tough, rugous, of a dark brown colour. It is filled with remains of 

 insects and mineral substances. The intestine, efg h i, is 16^ inches 

 long, from 4 twelfths to 2i twelfths in width ; the coeca, h, 3 twelfths 

 long, 5 twelfth wide, and 1^ inch distant from the extremity; the 

 cloaca, ^, ovate, 8 twelfths in breadth. 



The trachea is 2 inches 5 twelfths long, considerably flattened to- 

 ward the lower part ; its rings 56 in number, rather broad, and well 

 ossified, with two additional dimidiate rings ; the bronchi of moderate 

 size, with 12 half rings. The lateral muscles are rather slender; 

 there are four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles. 



RAVEN. 



CORVUS CORAX, Linn. 

 PLATE CL Vol. II. p. 1. 



This species, which is plentiful on the Rocky Mountains and along 

 the Columbia River, also abounds in the Fur Countries, and, accord- 

 ing to Dr Richardson, visits the remotest islands of the Polar seas. 

 It frequents the Barren Grounds even in the most intense winter colds, 

 its movements being directed in a great measure by those of the herds 

 of Rein Deer, Musk Oxen, and Bison, which it follows, ready to as- 

 sist in devouring such as are killed by beasts of prey or by accident. 

 He relates a curious instance of the propensity it shews to appro- 

 priate to itself any metallic substance. " Mr Kendal, in crossing 

 the heights of land which divide the waters that flow towards Hudson's 

 Bay, from those which fall into the Arctic Sea, saw a Raven flying off 

 with something in his claws, pursued by a number of his clamorous 

 companions. The bird being fired at dropped the object of contention, 

 which proved to be the lock of a chest !" Dr Townsend informs me that 

 on the Columbia River the Ravens constantly attend on the salmon 



