370 



British Ca^e Birds. 



will cater for themselves. They are by no means dainty, and 

 when hungry will swallow anything, even to a piece of old 

 leather. Cut their wings before turning loose, to prevent them 

 straying from home and getting into mischief. If placed in 

 an orchard or garden, or in a yard, especially one with stables 

 or cart sheds attached, they will soon make themselves at home. 

 They should be housed at night. They require frequent feeding 

 when first taken from their parents, though care should be 

 exercised not to stuff them to repletion. 



Song. — The Raven does not sing, but utters a most unearthly 

 croak, " Koack, Croack, Koack," which, once heard, is not 

 readily forgotten. It can, however, be taught to talk, and, when 

 carefully trained, speaks with greater fluency and ease than 

 a parrot. 



Points to be Observed in Judginq. — The bird should be 

 in good order and condition in all respects, well feathered, 

 bright in colour, clean, and free from vice. 



General Remarks. — Ravens are vicious as well as courageous, 

 and a source of terror to Rooks and Jackdaws unfortunate enough 

 to settle in the immediate locality chosen by them to build their 

 nests. Though during the period of incubation these birds will 

 attack and drive off an eagle should it approach too near to their 

 nesting-place, they, for some unaccountable reason, offer no 

 resistance to a man when engaged in depriving them of their 

 nestlings. Ravens have been known to live for nearly a 

 century. 



Diseases and their Treatment. — The Raven is a hardy bird, 

 and rarely suffers from disease. It frequently overfeeds itself, 

 and then goes off to a quiet place, where it remains in an inert and 

 semi-torpid state for several hours ; but the moment it recovers 

 it returns to the feast. When suffering from surfeit occasioned 

 by eating too much raw animal food, substitute fish, bread, and 

 grain. This bird is much troubled with vermin resembling 

 lice, and should, therefore, be frequently soused with a strong 

 solution of alum water, or have some snuff sprinkled upon 

 its feathers. 



