274 BIRDS 



RAVEN 



The Raven in appearance reminds one of an overgrown 

 crow, though less gregarious, more shy, and more boreal. 

 The raven has been observed near Lake Michigan about 

 northern IlHnois and Indiana during severest winters, and 

 may be met with on both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts 

 as well as in the interior. 



The sub-species known as the northern raven undoubt- 

 edly reaches the coldest climates of any living creature. 

 Arctic explorers in their search for the Pole have observed 

 the raven where all other signs of animate life cease to 

 exist. The plumage is in striking contrast to that of other 

 boreal creatures, such as the ptarmigan, Arctic fox, snowy 

 owl, and polar bear. Blacks being the warmest color, 

 undoubtedly explains this bird's ability to reach such a 

 northerly latitude. 



Ravens may be frequently observed walking leisurely 

 along the beaches just above the water line picking up the 

 mollusks and other bits of marine life. Their note is a 

 coarse croak, which seems to issue from the throat and is 

 less musical than the call of the crow. In the northern 

 countries of the Eastern Hemisphere, the raven is regarded 

 by some races as a bird of ill-omen. Ravens are readily 

 taught to speak and are at times kept as pets. 



Like the crow and jay, the raven is omniverous, feed- 

 ing on fish, grain, berries, and other forms of animal and 

 vegetable life. Quite a few ravens breed in the mountains 

 along the Pacific coast of California. The large nests of 



