BrUisli Corvidae. 
41 
reach up a tree to avoid punishment. The rascal went to 
SUCH lengths in this i'ospect that the gardener with grim de- 
termination writ larg(^ upon his honest face, said " Sir, 
eitluM' your hird goes or I does." The man was invaluable, 
so alas! the Raven was sent to another home. Another Raven 
was iievei' de^ttructive. He would perch on a garden seat 
neai'ly all day, croaking clieerfully at intervals, only leaving 
his self -chosen perch in order to chase a cat or dog, or some 
Black-backed Oulls that were pinioned on the lawn. Yet an- 
other Raven I had was a splendid talker and mimic. He 
could bark like a dog absolutely naturally. Often we liave 
run out hearing the barking and worrying, thinking a dog was 
among some of the birds, only to lind " Joe " on his perch, 
his eyes brimful of laughter, and the big black scoundrel chuck- 
ling to think he had taken us m, and laughing in a comically 
human way. He could imitate fowls and cats, and could caw 
like a Rook. I have often seen Rooks wheeling high up over 
his abode, completely deceived by his "caw." "Hullo, Joe! 
How are you ? " was a favourite exclamation of his, but his 
proudest feat has the imitation of a " "Woodpecker, tapping the 
hollow jbeech tree." One of these birds — a Green Woodpecker — 
was often at work near his run, and " .Toe " learned to copy 
the tapping exactly. He would .stretch his neck out, ruffle his 
feathers, and shake the upper and lower mandibles together. 
AVhen my Ravens get into the adult stage I give them 
a larger quantity of meat. In the early spring the farmers 
are always willing and glad to otl'i-r me any dead lambs, and 
the Ravens love picking and eatiiii^' these. Rabbits, rats, and 
birds are also great luxuries, and bread, bits of clieese, pota- 
toes, and table scraps are equally welcome. Tlie adult bird is 
a handsome fellow, with a glossy metallic sheen like blue steel, 
on his plumage, which, in a healthy bird, is always in beautiful 
condition. Each year adds to his beauty. Cold weather suits 
him best. He intensely dislikes a hot summer. In wijiter, 
when his bath is frozen hard, he industriously employs himself 
by breaking the ice witli his powerful beak, and then hiding 
the Inoken pieces hi difleient places. He is teriibly puzzled 
when the ice melts and shows his surprise and annoyance by 
incessant chatter, whic h probably is intended for verbal casti- 
gation of the looter. 
