Mohave County miner., 1891-02-14
raE RAvrns OF ALAsKA.
ys.v srs 70 the North whst tbs rsrtsy parssrd'
Are 10 the soath.

4
Are 10 the soath.
Tn. raven is bird deserving OF
respectful attention. He Is bird o.
very ancient lineage dating back 70
the deluge. il not TO Eden. and appear
ling in The history Of England as the
prominent figure on the banner OF tne
hardy Viking deyastators. In hurope
and among the Mohammedans there y
widespread dislike 10 rayeusi In fact'
they are regarded as birds OF W omen
aud carrion feeders. But quite tbe
reverse Is thought OF the bird 10 SOUTH
eastern Alaska, where the natives re-
gard II as very unfortunate event
should one be killed.
One OF the officers OF tho United
States revenue cutter service. who has
paid several visits TO the southeastern
and other portions OF the territory o'
Alaska. mentioned to San Francisco
Chronicle reporter the following facts
about the raven OF our Arctic province;
"My first experience with ravens In
Alaska was at Oonalaska. There the
birds fly around the beach and village
ia large numberA On the hiiltops
surrounding the hsrnor they breed un-
nolested, and were II not Tor their
scayenger work the fish oifal that lays
around the shore and houses would
soon engender disease. The Alaska
raven is fine looking bird, as large
as a turkey. and upon closer ac9uaint-
ance a real handsome fellow His
coat il indeed black. but OF black
glossler and more rich than silk and
softer than velvet while In semi
shade the feathers are tinged with
that peculiar color so often seen on
well-preserved observation-disclosures.
at Is very funny 10 see these birds
holding, as Il were, a c0nclave. Ten
or a dozen alight on the ground and
walk to the meeting place with
stately, erect step, their every move
ment coo! and assured. Then an old
bird steps gravely into the middle,
and the meeting begins with a series
OF CULTURAL and harsh croaks. which
gradually swell in volume until the
entire lot OF birds have joined In the
debate. Along comes dog and for
him they scatter resuming their po.
sitions when he passes, until the meet
ing again terminates. and they fly on
| to the beach and hills. These birds
are very seldom killed unless 1t be by
some sailor In pure wantonness. i
! you examine the bills OF the ravens
he peculiar construction is remark
able. They are combination OF Q
chisel, scissors. dagger. and gimlet
The bill forms an important factor ID
the ravens existence. for he has to dig
| on the beach for claims, bore the hard
she'll by repeated chipping, and again
in pure mischief he will tear and break
anything that his bright and unerring
eye lights upon,
"Just as soon as the bright sunlight
appears the ravens leave their roost
ing places on the hilltops for the beach
line. and over the village and shores
OF the bay they fly ana wander unit
sundown invites them TO rest The
raven Is fine flyer. On the wing his
movements are well under command
With strong decided beats he winnow'
the arr fast or slow. never seeming ID
a hurry. But II occasion requires the
raven can travel at express speed, ant
when he sees another bird feasting or
some delicate morsel Of Offal. down he
comes from midair with his discordant
cav, ready 10 share or steal the
| prize"