575 



blackish surface-spots scattered over the shell ; whereas others are dull olive-greenish, closely 

 marked with dull blackish brown surface-blotches, which in one or two form a peculiar hiero- 

 glyphic kind of markings. In size they vary from Iff by l^f to Iff by 1-Jf inch. As a rule 

 those from Spain are rather brighter-coloured than others from Northern Europe ; but I possess 

 one from Greenland which is quite as bright as any I have seen from Southern Europe. 



In some parts of Northern Europe, especially in Iceland and the Faeroes, partial albinoes 

 are met with; and this variety has been described as a distinct species under the names of 

 C. leucophceus and C. fceroensis. I possess one specimen from the Faeroes which is about half 

 white and half black, and another from Greenland which has the major portion of the primaries 

 and of the tail white. 



The Eaven is easily tamed and becomes very familiar. It can be taught to utter words, and 

 will mimic the barking of a dog or other sounds. In old coaching-days it used to be customary 

 to keep a tame Raven at the post-houses ; and when any one drove up, the Raven would generally 

 call for the hostler, having doubtless learnt to do so from hearing travellers call " hostler " 

 directly they drove into the yard, should that individual not be there to receive them. One 

 frequently sees tame Ravens in brewery-yards ; and ever since I can recollect, a pair have been in 

 the yard of a brewery in Oxford Street, close to Tottenham-Court Road, where they may usually 

 be seen perched on a barrel or stalking gravely about the yard. 



The specimen figured, on the same Plate with Corvus umbrinus, is from Denmark, and is the 

 bird described. I propose also, when treating of the genus Corvus in my article on Corvus 

 corone, to give a sketch of the head of the common Raven, and shall also give a detailed table 

 of measurements of specimens from various localities. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. H. E. Dresser. 



a, partial albino. Greenland {Moschler). b, partial albino. Faeroes {A. Benson), c, <$ . Falster, Denmark, 

 January 22nd, 1871 {A. Benzon). d,juv. Archangel, May 23rd, ]873 (Piotluch). e. Bandera, Texas, 

 November 1863 {H. E. D.). 



E Mus. Salvin and Godman. 

 a. Fort Benton, U. S. {J. A. Mullan). b, ?. Duenas, Guatemala, August 10th, 1859 (0. Salvin). 



E Mus. Brit. Beg. 



a, cj,i, ?. Skane, Sweden, c. Jerusalem {Tristram), d, e. Nepal {Hodgson), f. Ladak {Dr. Henderson), 

 (j. Fort Simpson, U. S., April 21st, 1860 {B. Ross), h. Fort Simpson, April 24th, 1862 {J. K. Lord), 

 i, k. West side of Rocky Mountains {J. K. Lord). I. Mexico (type of C. nobilis). 



E Mus. Lord Lilford. 

 a,6,b,2. Isola di Vacca, Sardinia, May 1874 (X.). 



