182 CORVID.E. 



doubt the idea is founded in truth, although I think the 

 common event is not communicated to the Raven by any 

 immediate or supernatural impulse ; but that in passing over a 

 human habitation from which a sickly or cadaverous smell 

 may escape, it is perfectly natural for him to announce his 

 perception of it by his cries. 



" Shakspeare, however, takes a different view from this, and 

 represents the Raven as being seized with an immediate and 

 supernatural impulse, in foreshowing the death of Duncan by 

 his croaking. He makes Lady Macbeth say, — 



' The Raven himself is hoarse, 

 That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan 

 Under my battlements.' 



Duncan when he entered Lady MacbetrTs castle was in per- 

 fect health ; but Shakspeare wrote in conformity with the 

 legend, and, indeed, the general belief of the country ; and 

 he well knew the passage would take a firm hold on the 

 human mind. 



" The Raven lives at perpetual variance with all the other 

 feathered tribes. Even those species which are far his 

 . superiors he annoys incessantly with his attacks, especially 

 when loaded with food, carrying it either to their young, 

 or to a spot where they can devour it without interruption. 

 I once saw a goshawk carrying what I supposed to be a 

 grouse, this was evidently dead, and sticking out behind the 

 bird, gave it a very curious appearance. 



" Three or four corbies were high in the air, making, from 

 every quarter, repeated attacks on the goshawk, and en- 

 deavouring to rob him of his prey. At length, one of them 

 was just striking the noble bird, when, relaxing its hold, the 

 dead creature, whatever it might be, fell straight for the 

 earth. The hawk dived after it with a rapidity perfectly 

 astonishing, and, I think, before it had descended thirty 



