CHAPTER LXIII. 



The Raven. 



Corviis corax, Lin. ; Le Corheau, Buf. 



Description and Character. — The Raven is generally very 

 droll and entertaining, and creates much amusement, especially 

 where dogs, horses, cattle, or cats, are kept. It becomes very 

 domestic in its habits — tame, tractable, and familiar with every- 

 one with whom it is brought into daily intercourse. It displays 

 a disposition to be on good terms with both people and domestic 

 animals, as a rule ; but it is rather a dangerous bird to keep 

 uncaged where there are valuable young chickens, ducklings, or 

 goslings of tender age running about, as these not unfrequently 

 become a prey to its voracious appetite. Ravens are cruel 

 and cunning birds, full of mischief and devilry ; but, being 

 capable of uttering words and short phrases with great distinct- 

 ness, they possess a charm for many people, who delight in 

 having them about their stables and outbuildings. They are 

 irrepressible thieves, and if not carefully watched will steal and 

 hide anything they can conveniently remove, more particularly 

 bright objects and coins. If very hungry when kept in a state 

 of domestication, they will seize and destroy rats and mice. In 

 the wild state, they not unfrequently attack weakly lambs, 

 rabbits, and young leverets, or any predatory animals of small 

 size that come within their reach, such as stoats and weasels. 

 The Raven is from 2ft. to 2ft. Sin. in length, and weighs about 

 S^lb. ; the tail measures 9in., and is cone-shaped. The bill is 

 black, very strong and massive, and 2|in. long ; it is surrounded 

 by stout hairs, or bristles, which extend beyond the nostrils. 



