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(Corvus Corax, Linn.-Le Corbeau, Buff.)

Is the largest of this kind; the length is above two feet; breadth four. The female is somewhat less. The bill is strong, and thick at the base, measuring somewhat more than two inches and a half in length, and covered with strong hairs or bristles, which extend above half its length, covering the nostrils: the general colour of the upper parts is a fine glossy black, reflecting a blue tint in particular lights; the under parts are duller, and of a dusky hue.

The Raven is well known in all parts of the world, and in times of ignorance and superstition, was regarded as a bird of ill omen, announcing by its croaking, impending calamities: Of such vast importance was it considered, that the various modulations of its voice were studied with the most careful attention, and were made use of by designing men to mislead the ignorant and credulous. It is a very long-lived bird, and is supposed sometimes to live a century or more. It is fond of carrion, which it scents at a great distance; it will destroy rabbits, young ducks, and chickens; and has been known to seize on young lambs, and even sheep, when sick or weak, and pick out their eyes while yet alive: it will suck the eggs of other birds; it feeds also on earth-worms, reptiles, and even shell-fish, when urged by hunger. It may be rendered very tame and familiar, and has often been taught to pronounce a variety of words: it is a crafty bird, and will frequently pick up things of value, such as rings, money, &c. and carry them to its hiding place. They build early in the spring, in trees and the holes of rocks, laying five or six eggs, of a pale bluish green, spotted with brown. The female sits about twenty days, and is constantly attended by the male, who not only provides her with abundance of food, but relieves her in turn, and takes her place in the nest.*

The natives of Greenland eat the flesh, and make a covering for themselves with the skins of these birds, which they wear next their bodies.

CARRION CROW, BLACK-NEBBED OR MIDDEN CROW.

(Corvus Corone, Linn.-La Corneille noire, Buff.) Is similar to the Raven in its habits, colour, and external appearance. Length about eighteen inches; breadth three feet. The glossy feathers of the upper plumage have a burnished look, excepting on their edges, which are dull, and form a border to each. This species is more numerous and as widely spread as the Raven; they live mostly in woods; build their nests in trees; and lay five or six eggs, much like those of the Raven. They feed on putrid flesh, and garbage of all sorts; likewise on eggs, shell fish, worms, and insects.

L

These wary birds live in pairs, and are commonly seen together flying at a great height, out of the reach of the gun, while they are prowling over the country in search of their food, which, with penetrating eye, and acute scent, they discover afar off. They pluck the feathers off the dead birds, toss them aside, and then pick the flesh from the bones. winter they take shelter from the extremity of the weather, in the hollows of rocky precipices.

In

Is somewhat larger and more bulky than the Rook, measuring twenty-two inches in length. The bill is black, and two inches long; the head, fore part of the neck, wings, and tail black; the back and all the under parts are of a pale ash; the legs black.

These birds arrive with the Woodcock, and on their first coming frequent the shores of rivers. They depart in the spring, but they do not all leave us, as they have been seen during the summer months, in the northern quarters of our island, where they frequent the mountainous parts of the country, and breed in the pines. In the Zetland islands they are the only