ADVENTURES AND INCIDENTS. 413 



16. The Raven's Stratagem. — A gentleman in Perth- 

 shire had a tame raven named Jacob, which he kept in a 

 stable. The bird proved of great use in destroying rats, and 

 the methods which he took showed almost human intelli- 

 gence. In the forenoon, while the servants were out airing 

 the horses, Jacob took care to provide himself with a bone 

 on which was some meat. This he placed near the rat's 

 hole in front of the crib, and then perched himself above, 

 watching the bone with a keen and steady look. When a 

 rat, attracted by the smell, made his appearance, Jacob 

 pounced upon it at once, and dispatched it in an instant. 

 He would then take his place as before and wait for another 

 victim. After the horses returned, and there was no fur- 

 ther opportunity for sport, he would leisurely feed upon 

 the game he had captured. 



17. Tame Crows. — When a crow is tamed, he soon 

 learns to distinguish all . the members of the family ; flies 

 toward the gate, screaming, at the approach of a stranger ; 

 learns to open the door by alighting on the latch ; attends 

 to meals at regular hours ; is extremely noisy and loqua- 

 cious ; imitates the sounds of various words pretty distinct- 

 ly ; and is a great thief and hoarder of curiosities, hiding in 

 holes, corners, and crevices every loose article he can carry 

 off, particularly small pieces of metal, corn, bread, and food 

 of all kinds. He becomes very fond of the one who takes 

 care of him, and will recognize him, after a long absence, 

 with many marks of affection. 



18. The Jackdaw in Liquor. — A tame jackdaw one 

 day found some whisky left upon the kitchen-table, and 

 drank it with great gusto. In a few moments symptoms of 

 intoxication began to appear : his wings drooped, his eyes 

 half closed, he staggered in his walk in the most ludicrous 

 manner, and he seemed to have lost the use of his wings. 



