"Here's the place:--stand still. How fearful And dizzy 'tis, to cast one's eyes so low! The crows and choughs that wing the midway air, Show scarce so large as beetles." RAVEN. CORBIE. CORBIE CROW. GREAT CORBIE CROW. FIGURE 4. Scientific name, _Corvus corax_, the first being the Latin, and the second Greek, for a Crow. This is the largest, as it is also one of the best known of the Crow tribe or family. It is found in nearly all parts of the world--in the coldest as well as the hottest climates--amid the wild mountainous regions of everlasting snow, in the depths of the gloomiest forests, and on the wide prairies and sandy plains, its hoarse cry may be heard; as well as on the lonely island, whose shores are lashed by the foaming waves of the mighty ocean, and seldom or ever visited by the prow of the merchant or other vessel. A bold familiar bird is the Raven, with jet black plumes, and a large powerful bill, fitted for tearing to pieces the flesh of animals on which it often feeds; and a deep hollow voice, that grates harshly upon the ear; and strong feet armed with sharp talons; and wings that spread out to a great extent, and with regular and well-timed beats, _flap_, _flap_, _flap_, winnow the air, and support the bird in its long flight over land and sea; while the broad tail, now elevated and now depressed, now turned this way and now that, gives to the heavy body the desired direction. "_Croak!_" one hears the sound, and scarcely knows whether it comes from the air above or the earth beneath; but presently the sunshine is obscured by a black shadow, and swoop! down comes the bird of ill omen, as people have generally agreed to consider it, down upon the sick sheep, or any other weak and defenceless creature, that may be within the compass of its keen sight, and commences picking out the eyes of the animal, reminding us of the punishment threatened by the Lord against disobedient children, as mentioned in Proverbs, and paraphrased in Dr. Watts' familiar lines:-- "Have you not heard what dreadful plagues Are threatened by the Lord, To him that breaks his father's law, Or mocks his mother's word. What heavy guilt upon him lies, How cursed is his name, The Ravens shall pick out his eyes, And Eagles eat the same."