BRITISH TALKING-BIRDS. 
CHAPTER I. 
THE HAVEN. 
While the raven exists, so will belief in the supernatural. 
In vain may naturalists treat him with classic coolness, call 
him “ Corvus Corax,” and explain that he is of the crow tribe, 
that his bill is of such a length, his pinions so broad from tip to 
tip, and that his tail is somewhat conical and obtuse, they will 
never bring us to regard him as we do other birds. What is 
more, I do not believe that they themselves so regard him, or 
that the most self-possessed naturalist that ever lived, any 
more than you, dear reader, or I, could sleep with a raven at 
large in his chamber. Who could? Who could close his 
eyes and compose himself to slumber while a pair of raven’s 
eyes, — full of mystery, full of daring, full of cunning and 
mischief, — were watching him from a corner ! You may look 
the most savage dog in the face till he hangs his head, — it is 
even said that the lion will cower before the steadfast gaze of 
