120 RAVEN. 



by the immense quantity of dead salmon which lined the shores.* They 

 are found at all seasons at Hudson's Bay ; f are frequent in Mexico ; J 

 and it is more than probable that they inhabit the whole continent of 

 America. 



The Raven measures, from the tip of the bill to the end of the tail, 

 twenty-six inches, and is four feet in extent; the bill is large and 

 strong, of a shining black, notched near the tip, and three inches long, 

 the setaceous feathers which cover the nostrils extend half its length ; 

 the eyes are black ; the general color is a deep glossy black, with steel- 

 blue reflections ; the lower parts are less glossy ; the tail is rounded, 

 and extends .about two inches beyond the wings ; the legs are two inches 

 and a half in length, and, with the feet, are strong and black ; the claws 

 are long. 



This bird is said to attain to a gr^at age ; and its plumage to be sub- 

 ject to change, from the influence of years and of climate. It is found 

 in Iceland and Greenland entirely white. 



The Raven was the constant attendant of Lewis and Clark's party, 

 in their long and toilsome journey. During thie winter, at Fort Man- 

 dan, they were observed in immense numbers, notwithstanding the cold 

 was so excessive, that, on the seventeenth of December, 1804, the ther- 

 mometer of Fahrenheit stood at 45° below 0. 



Like the Crow, this species may be easily domesticated, and in that 

 state would afford amusement, by its familiarity, frolics and sagacity. 

 But such noisy and mischievous pets, in common with Parrots and Mon- 

 keys, are not held in high estimation in this quarter of the globe ; and 

 are generally overlooked for those universal favorites, which either grat- 

 ify the eye by the neatness or brilliancy of their plumage, or delight 

 the ear by the simplicity or variety of their song. 



* Gasa's Journal, p. 153. f Charlevoix. Ealm. Hearne's Journey. 



} Fernandez. 



