RAVENS. 



249 



&c, devour it, with the head always placed first. It rarely alights upon the ground, and so proud is 

 the creature of its elegant dress that it never permits a soil to remain upon it, and it may frequently be 

 seen spreading out its wings and feathers, and regarding its splendid self in every direction, to observe 

 whether the whole plumage is in an unsullied condition. The sounds uttered by this bird are very 

 peculiar; that which appears to be a note of congratulation resembles somewhat the cawing of a 



the resplendent epimachus (Sclcucides resplendeiis). 



Raven, but changes to a varied scale in musical gradations — a he, hi, ho, how, repeated frequently and 

 rapidly, as briskly and playfully he hops round and along his perch, descending to the second perch to 

 be admired, and congratulate the stranger who has made a visit to inspect him. He frequently raises 

 his voice, sending forth notes of such power as to be heard at a long distance, and as it would scarcely 

 be supposed such a delicate bird could utter. These notes are whack, whack, whack, uttered in a 

 barking tone, the last being in a low note as conclusion. A drawing of tire bird of the natural size was 

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