Volume 24, Plate XII / Ornithology (Birds)

Raven

Corvus corax

The Raven is the most powerful of its group, a beautiful glossy black bird with steel blue reflections, wary in expression, preferring alpine country but descending to cultivation for food, which varies seasonally and includes carrion, small mammals, eggs, and lambs, drawing much persecution from shepherds. Generally distributed in Britain and increasing northward, it breeds very early on precipitous rocks or trees, returning to ancient eyries, and tamed birds learn to speak.