ROOK— EUROPEAN JAY 229 



a continual calling. The voice differs from that of the 

 Common Crow, being hoarser and more nasal, and 

 easily distinguishes the two species. 



The largest and most famous of all the Crows is the 

 Raven, found in the northern parts of both hemi- 

 spheres. In colouring it closely resembles the Com- 

 mon Crow, the plumage over the entire body being 

 black with steel-blue reflections; but the feathers on 

 the throat are long and pointed, while in the Crow 

 they are short and rounded. The bill of the Raven 

 is enormously large and powerful, and the bird will 

 attack and kill small lambs, and even sheep that have 

 been partially disabled. It also eats rabbits, birds, 

 eggs, and carrion, and, like the other members of its 

 family, feeds on grain and fruit as well, being 

 extremely voracious. See Plate 20, Fig. 116. 



The Raven is easily tamed, and as a pet has few 

 rivals, becoming much attached to its master and fol- 

 lowing him about like a dog. It can also be taught to 

 "talk," or to imitate sounds of the human voice, in this 

 respect surpassing some of the Parrots. 



The American Raven is smaller than the European 

 species, but is otherwise identical. It is found in 

 parts of the West, especially where the Crow is not 

 commonly seen. 



The Rook, is peculiar among Crows in having a 

 bare face. Young Rooks have the face feathered, as 

 in the other Crows, and the nostrils protected by stiff, 

 forward-pointing bristles; but after the first moult, 

 these, together with the rest of the feathers of the face, 

 are shed, and thereafter the skin remains bare and 



