. A System of natural history : containing scientifci [sic] and popular descriptions of man, quadrupeds, birds, fishes, reptiles and insects . lectedbristly feathers ; legs and feet plaited ; toes three before and one behind, divided ; tarsuslonger than the middle toe ; wings acuminated, the fourth feather longest. 60 40* 474 AVES—RAVEN. goes every where, affronts and drives off the dogs, plays his pranks bn thepoultry, and is particularly assiduous in cultivating the good-will of thecook maid, who seems to be the favorite of the family. But then, v/ith theamusing qualities of a favorite, he o
. A System of natural history : containing scientifci [sic] and popular descriptions of man, quadrupeds, birds, fishes, reptiles and insects . lectedbristly feathers ; legs and feet plaited ; toes three before and one behind, divided ; tarsuslonger than the middle toe ; wings acuminated, the fourth feather longest. 60 40* 474 AVES—RAVEN. goes every where, affronts and drives off the dogs, plays his pranks bn thepoultry, and is particularly assiduous in cultivating the good-will of thecook maid, who seems to be the favorite of the family. But then, v/ith theamusing qualities of a favorite, he often also has the vices and defects. Heis a glutton by nature, and a thief by habit. He does not confine himself topetty depredations on the pantry or the larder; he soars at more magnificentplunder; at spoils which he can neither exhibit nor enjoy ; but which, likea miser, he rests satisfied with having the satisfaction of sometimes visitingand contemplating in secret. A piece of money, a tea-spoon, or a ring, arealways tempting baits to his avarice; these he will slily seize upon, and, ifnot watched, will carry to his favorite In his wild state, the raven is an active and greedy plunderer. Nothingcomes amiss to him. If in his flights he perceives no hops of carrion, (andhis scent is so exquisite, that he can smell it a vast distance,) he then con-tents himself with more unsavory food, fruits, insects, and the accidentaldesserts of a dunghill. This bird chiefly builds its nest in trees, and laysfive or six eggs of a pale green color, marked with small brovniish spots. Notwithstanding the injury these birds do in picking out the eyes of sheepand lambs, when they find them sick and helpless, a vulgar respect is paidfor them as being the birds that fed the prophet Elijah in the prepossession in favor of the raven is of very ancient date, as theRomans themselves, who thought the bird ominous, paid it, from motivesof fear, the most profound veneration. One
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Keywords: ., bookauth, bookcentury1800, booksubjectanimals, booksubjectzoology
