724 
BIRD-LIFE. 
delicate in tlieir construction: tlieir sight, hearing and 
smell are excellent, sharp and unerring; the senses of 
touch and taste are no less so, though their appreciation 
of “ high-game flavour ” is probably far greater than ours. 
The impressions formed under the influence of the senses 
are backed most strongly by the greatest intelligence. 
The Eaven is never deceived through any carelessness or 
want of caution on its part: it investigates, proves and 
draws comparisons from previous experience, before it 
shows confidence. Its extraordinary memory, enables it 
to retain the impression of its observations, and careful 
reflection on the same is condensed, if we may so term it, 
into experience and warning: it calculates and measures, 
reflects before it acts ; its knowledge increases with years, 
developing itself in fresh stratagems and artifices. All 
its feelings, with the exception of those connected with 
its mate and progeny, are regulated by its reflection and 
intelligence. From its earliest existence it is impressed 
with the necessity of looking out for “ number one,” and 
is on this account selfish, and ever ready to take every 
advantage, even to the disadvantage of others, so long as 
its own safety is secured, and it is the gainer, though at 
the same time it occasionally gives evidence of good 
nature. When in search of food it employs every artifice 
and means to obtain its end. Cunning as the fox, it 
inveigles every quadruped that allows itself to he 
bamboozled; sparing no trouble, it grubs and pecks about 
with its beak in every likely spot. Calculating and 
intelligent it becomes possessed of the goods of others, 
and makes use of and feeds on animals, which from their 
construction and habits would appear to he safe from its 
attack. Eavens will force birds of prey, and even their 
own species, to abandon their quarry. The Eaven will 
