RAVEN. 
229 
monly exposed on the outskirts, it has been 
recorded to be their habit. In the vicinity of 
Edinburgh there formerly existed one or two 
eyeries, one on the Castle rock, another on 
Arthur Seat, &c. We have seen a pair perch 
early in the morning on the chimneys of St 
James’ Square, but at no time have we been 
aware of their being attracted within the precincts 
of the city by the presence of carrion or any 
offal. 
When reared from the nest, the Raven becomes 
extremely familiar, and in a stable or court-yard 
is even of some use, seldom allowing a rat to 
escape ; but their instinct here does not teach 
them selection, and a young puppy, or early 
poultry, are not respected more than vermin. 
The power of pronouncing words and sentences 
also makes them more frequently tamed, and their 
articulation is so distinct, that many mistakes 
have in consequence happened, while the anec- 
dotes related of them are still more numerous. 
Its geographical distribution is extremely wide, 
pretty generally spread over the mountainous 
parts of Europe ; it extends also to Northern Asia, 
and according to Temminck it is found in Japan. 
In North America, it is not an unfrequent bird, 
becoming more plentiful towards the north, and 
abounding in the fur countries. It is noticed by 
almost all our northern travellers. 
There is little difference between the sexes 
except in size, the male being slightly larger, 
and having the lanceolate feathers on the head 
