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voice, (each of which had its determined 
significations.) The artifice enriched its 
inventors, and credulity drew multitudes 
to their oracles. Some even carried this 
folly to such lengths, as to eat the heart 
and entrails of the bird, from the hope of 
themselves acquiring the spirit of Pro- 
phecy. A sort of popular respect is still 
paid 'to this bird, from its having been 
selected to feed the Prophet Elijah, when 
he fled from the rage of Ahab. 
The Raven when taken from the nest, 
and reared up as a domestic, becomes 
very familiar, and possesses many quali- 
ties that render it highly amusing. Busy, 
inquisitive, and impudent it goes every 
where, affronts and drives off the dogs, 
plays its tricks on the poultry, &c. but 
with these amusing qualities it blends 
many vices and defects, like other species 
belonging to this genus, it does not confine 
itself to petty depredations, but aims at 
more magnificent plunder. A piece of 
money, a tea spoon, or a ring, is always a 
tempting bait to its avarice; these it will 
slyly seize upon, and, if not watched, will 
