HAVEN. 
237 
length ; the eyes are black ; the general colour is a deep 
glossy black, with steel-blue reflections ; the lower parts 
are less glossy ; the tail is rounded, and extends about 
two inches beyond the wings ; the legs are two inches 
and a half in length, and, with the feet, are strong and 
black ; the claws are long. 
This bird is said to attain to a great age ; and its 
plumage to be subject to change from the influence 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. 
During the winter, at Fort Mandan, they were observed 
in immense numbers, notwithstanding the cold was so 
excessive, that on the 17th December, 1804, the ther- 
mometer stood at 45° below 0. 
Like the crow, this species may be easily domesti- 
cated, and in that state would afford amusement by 
its familiarity, frolics, and sagacity. But such noisy 
and mischievous pets, in common with parrots and 
monkeys, are not held in high estimation in this quarter 
of the globe ; and are generally overlooked for those 
universal favourites, which either gratify the eye by 
the neatness or brilliancy of their plumage, or gladden 
the ear by the simplicity or variety of their song. 
59. CORVUS COllONE, LINNAEUS. — CROW. 
WILSON, PLATE XXXVI. FIG. III. 
This is perhaps the most generally known, and least 
beloved, of all our land birds ; having neither melody 
of song, nor beauty of plumage, nor excellence of flesh, 
nor civility of manners, to recommend him ; on the 
contrary, he is branded as a thief and a plunderer ; a 
kind of black-coated vagabond, who hovers over the 
fields of the industrious, fattening on their labours; 
and, by his voracity, often blasting their expectations. 
Hated as he is by the farmer, watched and persecuted 
