280 RAVEN. Class II. 



Egypt* and for the same reason; devouring 

 the carcases and filth, that would otherwise 

 prove a nuisance. A vulgar respect is also paid 

 to the raven, as being the bird appointed by 

 Heaven to feed the prophet Elijah, when he fled 

 from the rage of Ahab.f They are docile, may 

 be taught to speak, and fetch and carry. In 

 clear weather they fly in pairs to a great height, 

 making a deep loud noise, different from the 

 common croaking. Their scent is remarkably 

 good ; and their life prolonged to a long period. 



The quils of ravens sell for twelve shillings 

 the hundred, being of great use in tuning the 

 lower notes of a harpsichord, when the wires are 

 set at a considerable distance from the sticks. 



In Italy the raven quits the subalpine woods 

 in October, and spreads over the lower coun- 

 tries ; it returns to the woods in April. 



" This is an universal species, found both in 

 the old and new continents ; from Greenland to 

 the Cape of Good Hope in the one, and from 

 Hudson's Bay to Mexico in the other. It was 

 also met with by our circumnavigators in the 

 Sandzvich isles, and at Ozchykee was held in 

 great estimation." J. L. 



* Hassclquist ititt. Q. f 1 Kings 17. 



