120 RAVEN. 
by the immense quantity of dead salmon wliicTi lined tlie shores.* They 
are found at all seasons at Hudson's Bay ; f ai'e frequent in Mexico ; J 
and it is more than probable that they inhabit the Avhole continent of 
America. 
The Raven measures, from the tip of the bill to the end of the tail, 
twenty-six inches, and is four feet in extent ; the bill is large and 
strong, of a shining black, notched near the tip, and three inches long, 
the setaceous feathers ■which cover the nostrils extend half its length ; 
the eyes are black ; the general color is a deep glossy black, with steel- 
blue reflections ; the lower parts are less glossy ; the tail is rounded, 
and extends about two inches beyond the wings ; the legs are two inches 
and a half in length, and, with the feet, are strong and black ; the claws 
are long. 
This bird is said to attain to a great age ; and its plumage to be sub- 
ject to change, from the influence of years and of climate. It is found 
in Iceland and Greenland entirely white. 
The Raven was the constant attendant of Lewis and Clark's party, 
in their long and toilsome journey. During the winter, at Fort Man- 
dan, they were observed in immense numbers, notwithstanding the cold 
was so excessive, that, on the seventeenth of December, 1804, the ther- 
mometer of Fahrenheit stood at 45° below 0. 
Like the Crow, this species may be easily domesticated, and in that ' 
state would afford amusement, by its familiarity, frolics and sagacity. 
But such noisy and mischievous pets, in common with Parrots and Mon- 
keys, are not held in high estimation in this quarter of the globe ; and 
are generally overlooked for those universal favorites, which either grat- 
ify the eye by the neatness or brilliancy of their plumage, or delight 
the ear by the simplicity or variety of their song. 
* Gass's Journal, p. 153. 
I Fernandez. 
t Charlevoix. Kalm. Hearne's Journey. 
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