Crows.

Or the family Corvida there are several divisions or sub-families; some of the genera of which, in the metallic lustre of their plumage, and the velvet-like process that in some species ornaments the face, indicate their close affinity to the Birds of Paradise. Of the sub-family Corvince many species are common in this country, such as the Raven, Crow, Magpie, etc. Generally speaking, these birds are all sober and even sombre in their attire, but there are a few exceptions; and even in the most dull-garbed ones there is a beautiful compactness in the plumage, which appears to be well tempered to the elements, so that they are enabled to be constantly beating about and ranging far and wide in search of food, returning generally to their habitual dwellings at night. They are more generally distributed over the globe than most birds, and they appear to possess no slight degree of intelligence and cunning. Some of the species, indeed, are notorious for their surprising capacity of observation. Wild or tame, they are always prying about, and not only perceive what is immediately beside them, but have no inconsiderable amount of knowledge of what is going on in the world around them; and though this vigilance renders them very wary of real danger, and very expert in avoiding it, it gives them a degree of self-possession much greater than that of most birds. Some of the species have for a long time been accused

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of committing considerable depredations upon the property of man; but although this may in a measure be correct, the good that they do far exceeds the amount of evil that is caused by their plunderings. Were it not for the labours of the birds of this genus, it is doubtful whether any country could be profitably cultivated. They are particularly organized for picking out from beneath the surface of the ground the hidden grubs or larvæ that do such mischief to the sprouting grain and seed, as well as the herbage of the meadows. Even the Raven, that bird of evil omen, as he has been considered, does his meed of good, and is seldom found where he is not wanted; and although he is apt at times to attack the young and helpless of the flock, it is generally believed, in those places where Ravens abound, that he scents nothing but disease. In healthy districts, where the flocks are in good condition, the Raven levies no contribution, and seldom makes his appearance at all.

The great perfection and variety of the powers exhibited by these birds has induced Mr. Swainson to consider them the typical form of the whole class of birds. This superiority consists, he says, not in the extraordinary development of any one particular organ or quality, but in the union of nearly all those powers which have been separately assigned to other families. This perfection is best exemplified in looking to the economy of the ordinary Crows. In every climate habitable by man these birds are found. They are as well constructed for powerful and continued flight, as for walking with a firm and stately pace on the earth; they feed indiscriminately on animals or

vegetables, and, when pressed by hunger, refuse not carrion - hence their smell is remarkably acute. They are bold but wary, live in common societies, and possess great courage. When domesticated, they evince a power of imitating the human voice nearly equal to that of the Parrot; while their cunning, pilfering, and hoarding dispositions are all symptoms of greater intelligence than what is found in most birds.*

The Raven (Corvus Corax) is common over the whole of Europe and a great portion of Asia; few birds have gained a greater share of notoriety. With the ancient Romans it was a bird of augury, and they regarded its flight and its hoarse croak, with its various actions, as presages either of good or evil. The Danes adopted it as their military standard, designing to impress their foes with the notion of coming destruction, and that their intention was to give their dead bodies to the fowls of the air; such accorded with the superstition of the mass of people, the Raven's very presence seeming to forebode disease, calamity, and death. How general this notion was we notice from its association in "Macbeth" with the horrors of coming desolation

"The raven himself is hoarse,

That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan
Under my battlements."

The Raven is a bold bird, hardy and powerful, in its habits omnivorous, not only feeding on carrion but attacking ducks, chickens, and small quadrupeds, which its strong pointed beak enables it to despatch with a few strokes. It even attacks young lambs

*Classification of Birds.