RAVEN. 533 



bird in most of the larger islands; but in Asia it frequents the Hima- 

 layas. In the Nearctic Region it is found as far north as lat. 81^°^ and 

 extends southwards to Mexico, Guatemala, and possibly to Honduras. 

 It is found in all suitable localities throughout South Russia, Asia Minor, 

 Palestine, Turkestan, Persia, Afghanistan, and Cashmere, wintering in 

 Scind and the plains of the Punjab. Eastwards it is found throughout 

 the valley of the Amoor, the Ussuri, the island of Askold, and the Kurile 

 Islands. 



If we regard those birds which have the feathers of the throat long 

 and narrow and the wings elongated (the first primary longer than the 

 innermost secondaries, and the second primary intermediate between the 

 fifth and sixth) as Ravens, then the nearest relation to the Raven will 

 be Corvus umbrbms from Palestine, North-east Africa, and Baluchistan. 

 This species differs from the Common Raven in having the black of the 

 head and neck all round glossed with reddish purple instead of green or 

 bluish purple. 



The only other near allies of the Raven having the same wing-formula 

 are : — C. affinis from North-east Africa and Palestine, which differs from 

 our Raven in being much smaller, in having very long secondaries, and in 

 having the upper nasal bristles pointed upwards ; and C. t'liujitanus from 

 North-west Africa, the Canary Islands, and Madeira, also differing in its 

 much smaller size (although it retains the large bill of the Raven) and in 

 wanting the hackles on the breast. In South Africa south of the Sahara 

 and in Madagascar a Pied Raven occurs, C scapulatus , with the pattern of 

 colour similar to the C. torquatus of China, but with the white on the 

 breast extending to the belly. 



One of the best places in the British Islands to study the Raven's habits 

 is the Western Isles of Scotland. Here, no matter what the season of the 

 year, when strolling over the breezy mountain-sides knee-deep in heather 

 you will often meet with the Raven in your wanderings, and his hoarse 

 croak will resound amongst the rocks as he flies off to a safer retreat. Lower 

 down the valley you may expect to meet him on the broad sheep-pastures, 

 or searching the outskirts of the birch-woods by the side of the burns. 

 You are almost sure to see him by the ocean, either as he sails out from his 

 home in the tall cliffs or, more frequently, as he searches the beach for 

 garbage thrown up by the restless waves. To view the Raven in his 

 haunts will take you amongst the grandest mountain-scenery in our islands. 

 He is found on the wide-stretching moors in company with the Red 

 Grouse ; he haunts the bare mountain-tops where the Ptarmigan crouch 

 like stones amongst the rocks, and also the bare plains, where an almost 

 boundless view can be obtained. When not so sorely persecuted, the 

 Raven was an inhabitant of more woodland districts ; and a pair was often 

 considered the pride and the pest of the parish, generally choosing for 



