CORVUS CORAX. 
290 
plusieurs autres dcs especes Mexicaines se retrouvent 
dans sa partie occidcntale.’ ” 
15. CORVUS CORAX, LINNJEUS THE RAVES’. 
This well known liird, common to the four quartet 
of the globe, abounds in the fur countries, and visits th e 
remotest islands of the polar seas. * Richardson remark 8 ’ 
“ It frequents the barren grounds even in the most inten s 
winter colds, its movements being directed in a gr fa 
measure by those of the herds of rein-deer, musk-ox.® 1 '’ 
and bison, which it follows, ready to assist in devouriBr 
such as are killed by beasts of prey or by accident. 
sooner has a hunter slaughtered an animal, than the 86 
birds are seen coming from various quarters to feast ol ' 
the offal ; and considerable numbers constantly atteO 
at the fishing stations, where they shew equal boldn® 85 
and rapacity. The experienced native, when he s ef “ 
from afar a flock of ravens wheeling in small circl e '| 
knows that a party of his countrymen, well proving 
with venison, are encamped on the spot, or that a ha* 1 
of wolves are preying upon the carcass of some of 1 J 
larger quadrupeds ; and pushes on briskly, in the certa* 
prospect of having his wants supplied! The tliiev* 8 
habits of a tame raven -j- are well known; but it 
remarkable, that, inhabiting in a wild state the 
secluded and worst peopled districts of America, 1 
* Captain James C. Ross remarks, that the raven was foe 11 . v 
the most northern part of the Arctic regions visited by the rM 1 i, 
ratory expedition. A pair took up their residence in the 
cliffs of Port Bowen, and occasionally approached the sb)P“ j 
search of food. During the winter, they were frequently °k SL f t pt' 
to have a white ring round the neck, caused by the freezing 0 ^. t> 
vapour of their breath, and giving them a very singular appeuty in 
Winter produced no effect ou their plumage, nor did they ( ‘jn' ! 
any respect from the European bird. jjs- 
f Ravens have been taught to articulate short sentences as 
tinctlv as any parrot. One now in the possession of Mr Hensfo ^ 
St Albans, speaks so distinctly, that, upon first hearing 1 ’ 
were actually deceived in thinking it was a human voice. 
