Such are the courage and address of the cinereous shrike, that it is capable of being trained to hawk for and catch small birds. We are informed that Francis the First, king of France, was frequently in the habit of chasing the smaller kinds of game with shrikes. In some parts of the Continent where these birds are very numerous, they are considered so useful, by waging continual war against rats and mice, and destroying great numbers of noxious insects, that the farmers will not allow them to be destroyed. It is the singular propensity of the cinereous shrike to stick the insects on which it feeds upon the thorny branches of trees, previously to eating them. Even when confined in a cage, it often adopts a similar mode with respect to its food, by sticking it against the wires. ORDER II.--PICÆ, OR PIES. 130. _The RAVEN_ (Corvus corax) _is a bird of the crow tribe, known by its large size, its plumage being of bluish black colour, and its tail being roundish at the end._ _It is found in almost every country of Europe, Siberia, and North America._ In Egypt these birds are held nearly in equal veneration with the vultures (123), on account of their propensity to devour dead animals, and putrid substances of almost every description. They also destroy rats, mice, and small reptiles. It is said that in the Bermudas the inhabitants were, for several years, annoyed by a prodigious increase of rats, which devoured the corn and plants, and swam from island to island, committing great depredations in every place; and that, at length, they suddenly disappeared, without any other assignable cause than the unexpected presence of several flocks of ravens. By the ancients these birds were esteemed of much importance, from a notion that, by the various modulations or tones of their voice, certain future events might be predicted. Ravens are easily domesticated, and in this state may be trained to fowling, somewhat in the same manner as falcons (127). They may also be taught to fetch and carry small objects, like spaniels; but they are so mischievous that they ought not to be trusted in any place where spoons or other valuable articles are deposited, lest they also carry them away and hide them. The _flesh_ of the raven is eaten by the inhabitants of Greenland; and the _skin_, with the feathers on, is preferred to most other substances as a warm under garment. The _beak_ and _claws_ are used, in that country, as amulets. With us the _quills_, cut to a point, were formerly much in request for what are called the jacks of harpsichords, to strike the wires in playing. They are now chiefly employed for drawing and writing with. 131. _The ROOK_ (Corvus frugilegus) _is a bird of the crow tribe, distinguished by its black and glossy colour, the base of the bill being naked and dusky, and the tail being roundish._ _These birds are found in Europe and Siberia._