RAVENS. 257 



covering, its owner keeping a very sharp look-out to prevent the discovery of his concealed treasure. 

 So remarkable is its liking for fire, that we might imagine it to be the Avis incendiaria of the ancients ; 

 it has been known to pluck the burning wick from a lamp and swallow it, or to draw small live coals 

 from the hearth for this purpose, without any apparent ill effect, and so to delight in smoke as to 

 take every opportunity of throwing a scrap of rag, wood, or paper into the grate, for the pleasure of 

 seeing the light clouds ascend as it is consumed by the flames. The affection of this bird for those by 

 whom it is tamed is remarkably demonstrative ; it seems to observe their absence, and greets them on 

 their return with every expression of delight ; to some persons, on the contrary, it occasionally takes 

 a most unaccountable aversion, and pecks and screams at them whenever they approach. The 

 song of the Snow Crow is varied, and it has been known to whistle a simple air that it had been 

 taught. 



The TRUE RAVENS are distinguished by their large but rather short beak, which is more or 

 less curved, and covered at its base with a number of black bristles ; the wings are of moderate size, 

 and reach, when closed, to the end of the tail ; the feet are powerful, and the plumage a rich black, 

 more or less glossy. 



THE RAVEN. 



The Raven {Cor ax nobilis), as the principal member of this group is called par excellence, is 

 recognisable by its lengthy body, broad, long, and pointed wings, the third quill of which considerably 

 exceeds the rest in length ; the tail is of moderate dimensions, and graduated. Its plumage is short, 

 glossy, and uniformly black ; the eyes of the old birds are brown, those of the young blueish black, 

 and those of the nestlings pale grey. The length of this species is about two feet, its breadth four and 

 a quarter ; the wing measures seventeen inches, and the tail nine and three-quarters. 



This Raven is spread over a much larger portion of the world than any of its congeners ; it 

 inhabits the whole of Europe, as well as a great part of Asia, and is met with in the countries 

 extending from the Altai Mountains to Japan. It is at present uncertain whether the very large 

 Raven met with in North America is the same or only a similar species. Throughout some parts of 

 Europe these birds dwell comparatively apart from man, preferring to inhabit such localities as 

 mountains, dense forests, or rocky coasts, while others, that frequent the northern, southern, or 

 eastern coasts of our continent, live on comparatively friendly terms with the lord of the soil, from 

 whom their many objectionable habits do not meet with the same retribution as in the more central 

 or western lands. Ravens usually live in pairs, and remain constantly together throughout their 

 lives, passing their time principally in flying in company with each other over the surrounding 

 country. When on the wing, their movements are extremely beautiful, they alternate between a rapid 

 and direct flight, produced by a powerful stroke of the wings, these, like the tail, being kept out- 

 spread, and a hovering motion, that takes the form of a series of gracefully described circles, 

 seeming to be produced without the slightest effort on the part of the birds, who occasionally amuse 

 themselves by dropping suddenly to a distance of some feet, and then continuing their way as before.. 

 Upon the ground their gait is distinguished by a most absurd assumption of dignity, the upper portion 

 of the body being held considerably raised, whilst they gesticulate with the head in a most laughable 

 attempt to keep time with the movements of the feet. While perched the feathers are generally kept 

 quite close, those only upon the head or neck being spread or ruffled when the creature is under the 

 influence of strong emotion : the wings are always kept slightly raised from the body. 



By the rest of its congeners the Raven would seem to be regarded with abhorrence, for they will 

 fall upon and attack it with the utmost animosity; and should it attempt to join a party of other species 

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