Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-04-04
THE RAVENS OF ALASKA.
They Are to the North What the Tur
key BuZzards Are to the South

Key BuZZardS Are to the SOUTH
The raven is bird deserving of re-
spectful attention. He is a bird of very
ancient lineage, dating back to the
Deuge, if not to Eden, and appearing
in the history of Engla d as the promi-
nent figure on the banner of the hardy
Vicking devastators. In Europe and
among the Mohammedans there is a
Widespread dislike to ravens; in fact,
they ale regarded as birds of ill omen
and carron feeders. But quite the re-
verse is thought of the bird in south
eastern Alaska, where the natives re-
gard it as a very unfortunate event
shou' d one be killed.
One of the officers of the United
States revenue cutter service, WHO has
paid several visits to the southeastern
and other portions of the Territory of
Alaska, mentioned to Chronicle re-
porter the following facts about the
raven of our Artic province:
My first experience with ravens in
Alaska was at Oonalaska. There the
birds fly around the beach and village
i'll large numbers. On the hilltops sur
rounding the harbor they breed unmo-
le,ted, and We're it not for their scaven-
ger work the fish offal that lays around
the shore and houses would soon engen-
der disease The Alaska raven is a fine
looking bird, as large as a turkey, and
upon ciostr acquaintance ii real hand
some fellow. His coat is indeed black,
but of black glossier and more rich
than silk and softer than velvet, while
in a semi shade the feathers are tingeu
with that peculiar color often seen on
we'll preserved blue black bronze
at is very funny to see these birds
holding, us it we're, Il conclave. Ten or
a dozen alight on the ground and walk
to the meeting place with Il stately, erect
step, their every movement cool and as
sured. Then an Old ird steps gravely
into the mid lie, and the meeting begins
with series of cultural and harsh
croaks,. which gradually swell in vol
ume until the entire lot of BIRDS have
Joined in the debate. Along comes a
dog, and for him they scatter, resuming
their positions, wien he passes, until
the meeting again terminates and they
fly off to the beach and Hills These
birds are very seldom killed unless it be
by some sailor i'll pure wantonness. If
you examine the bills Of these ravens
the peculiar construc ion Is remarkable.
They are a combination of IL chisel
scissors, dagger, and ginlet. The bill
forms an important factor in the raw
ems existence, for he has to dig on the
beach for CLANS, bore the hard shell by
repeated chipping, and again in pure
mischief he will tear and break any
thing that his bright and unerring eye
lights upon.
Just us soon as the bright sunlight
appears the ravens leave their roostins
place on the hilltops for t e beach Ii G.
and over the village and shores of tie
bay they fly and anlrr until sundown
invites them to rest. The raven is fine
flyer On the wind his movements are
we'll under command. Wi;hs;r ny. de
cided beats he winnows the air fast or
slow, never seeming III a hurry. Bat if
occasion r,quires the raven can travel
at express speed, and when it sees an
other bird feasling on some delicate
morsel of uffaI down he comes from
nIdair with his discorlant cav, ready
to share or steal the prize.
The same characteristics are visible
all along the southern coast of Alaska
to Sltka. The natives from Yakutat
! Bay through the network of islands as