57' 



«J 



enclosures, where it congregates in immense numbers during the autumn and winter. During 

 the severe winter of 1864-65 great numbers perished of cold and hunger at Fort Whipple. 



" Mr. Dresser observed the Eaven common at San Antonio, frequenting the slaughter-houses. 

 In November, in the Baudera Hills, several came to his camp to feast on the offal of deer. 

 Dr. Woodhouse also found them very abundant in Texas, the Indian territory, and New Mexico, 

 and especially so on the buffalo-plains. In the Mexican-Boundary Survey Dr. Kennerly observed 

 these birds everywhere in Northern Mexico, flocks of them following the train from point to 

 point. They were not at all shy, but often came into camp in search of food. 



" Dr. Heermann states that while in California he always found the nests of the Raven 

 placed high on bold precipitous cliffs, secure against danger ; in the vast desert plains of New 

 Mexico he saw these birds building on low trees, and even on cactus plants less than three feet 

 from the ground, showing how much circumstances and localities affect the habits of birds 

 regarding incubation. 



"A Raven, probably this species, is abundant on the plateau of Mexico. The Cerro 

 Colorado, near Tehuacan, is the rendezvous of a large number of these birds, where, according 

 to Sumichrast, at the time of the flowering of the maguey, they gather in great abundance, to 

 feed on the blossoms of this plant, which are their favourite food." 



As a rule the Raven is a shy, cautious bird, as crafty and clever amongst birds as the fox is 

 amongst quadrupeds ; but much depends on the localities where it occurs as to whether it is shy 

 or otherwise. In the high north, where amongst the fishermen it is welcomed as a guest and 

 permitted to feast at leisure on the garbage, being an excellent scavenger, and consequently but 

 seldom molested, it is comparatively tame, and will permit itself to be approached; but in 

 Central and Southern Europe where its predatory habits render it any thing but welcome to the 

 farmer, shepherd, and sportsman, and where it can be of little or no use as a scavenger, it soon 

 learns to know that its presence is not considered desirable, and keeps well away out of gunshot, 

 being most difficult of approach. Amongst the early Scandinavians the Raven was looked on as 

 possessing wisdom to a peculiar extent ; and in the Sagas it is related that Odin possessed two 

 Ravens, which traversed great distances, and returning to their master whispered into his ears 

 the information they had gained during their journey. Bold as well as wary, it does not hesitate 

 to attack the Eagle when it approaches the locality where its nest is placed, and though it will 

 give way to that bird when they meet over a carcass, yet it will drive away other birds from it. 

 An arrant thief and a lover of carrion, it seems to know by instinct when a flock of sheep is 

 tainted with disease, and will watch for days until one dies, when it immediately drops on to the 

 carcass, first attacks the eyes and then turns its attention to the subcaudal region, soon dragging 

 out the intestines. So far as my experience goes, I believe that the Raven trusts to its great 

 power of sight alone in searching after carrion, and does not hunt by scent, as some naturalists 

 have believed to be the case. When searching for food on the ground, it walks with steady 

 measured pace, solemnly striding along as if engaged in serious business. Though its chief and 

 most favourite food is carrion, it is omnivorous, and feeds on almost any thing that comes in its 

 way. Young and sickly birds are frequently attacked by it; and hares and rabbits are often 

 killed by it during severe snow-storms, or when in a weakly state. Usually two hunt in 

 company ; and there are numerous anecdotes on record of the craftiness with which they 



