THE RAVEN. 
731 
to keep out of reach of their terrible enemy, as if they 
knew that any exertion on their part would be of no avail. 
For all this, the Eaven fulfils its parental duties most 
conscientiously, even when wounded. 
The young, long after they are able to fly, are fed and 
looked after by the old birds. The first care of the latter 
is to conduct their offspring to some place where their 
education may be matured,—that is to say, to some 
locality where they can take short flights in safety, 
especially preferring precipitous rocks furnished with 
projecting ledges : here, after a few days, one may find 
the remains of their food lying about in heaps. When in 
Norway I once ascended a rock of this description, and 
found on one ledge the shells of nearly sixty eggs of the 
Eider Duck, different Gulls and Curlews, besides the 
legs of Fowls, Ducks’-wings, Lemmings’-skins, the remains 
of young Gulls, Sandpipers, Plovers, &c. In spite of 
this ample supply, the youngsters kept up an everlasting 
clamour, and the old birds continued to bring fresh prey 
to the shambles. No wonder, then, that all the Gulls in 
the neighbourhood became furious as soon as the Eavens 
showed themselves, and mobbed them to the best of their 
ability, and that the tenants of the neighbouring farms 
cursed these destructive birds from the bottom of their 
hearts. The whole family keeps together until late in the 
autumn, when the old birds, who begin to think of breed¬ 
ing again, drive their children away. 
Eavens taken from the nest are easily reared, becoming 
very tame, and feeding on anything that is eatable : they 
will live in confinement for many years. The Eaven soon 
learns to know its master, and to distinguish him alike by 
his voice and by his gait; will answer when called by 
name; and may be easily taught to speak without having 
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