RAVEN. 
237 
length ; the ej'cs are black ; the general colour is a deep 
glossy black, with steel-blue reflections ; the lower parts 
*rc less glossy ; the tail is rounded, and extends about 
t'vo inches beyond the wings j the legs are two inches 
^d a halt' in length, and, with the feet, are strong and 
I'lack ; the claws arc long. 
This bird is said to attain to a great age ; and its 
plumage to be subject to change from the inllueuce of 
years and of climate. It is found in Iceland and Green- 
land entirely white. 
The raven was the constant attendant of Lewis 
and Clark’s party in their long and toilsome journey, 
tluriu"' the winter, at Fort Mandan, they M ere observed 
In immense numbers, notwithstanding the cold was so 
excessive, that on the 1 7th December, 1804, the ther- 
niometer stood at 45“ below 0. 
Like the crow, this species may be easily domesti- 
cated, and in that state would afford amusement by 
It.s familiarity, frolics, and sagacity. B\it such noisy 
and mischievous pets, in common with parrots and 
■noukeys, arc not held in high estimation in this ((uarter 
nf the globe ; and arc generally overlooked for those 
Universal favourites, which either gratify the eye by 
'lie neatness or brilliancy of their plumage, or gladden 
ear by the simplicity or variety of their song. 
59. cosrus corone, i,inx.®os — ciiow. 
WILSON, PLATE XXXVI. FIG. III. 
This is perhaps the most generally known, and least 
“Goved, of all our land birds ; having neither melody 
song, nor beauty of plumage, nor excellence ot flesh, 
**nr civility of maimers, to recommend him ; on the 
Contrary, he is branded as a thief and a plunderer; a 
glod of black-coated vagabond, who hovers over the 
■'elds of the industrious, fattening on their labours; 
^<1, by his voracity, often blasting their expectations, 
^uted as he is by the farmer, watched and persecuted 
