The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-09
TE.iTIIERED ACROBATS.
The Ravens of Pacific Island-Their
Cork-DrawinR and Chicken-SteaIing.

SANTA CATALINA. Cal. July TT YOU want
to see the featherod acrobat Of the world look
at this" said an old islander who lived IN
deep wooded canon.
Tho visitor took the proffered glass and
lcvelled it in the direction indicated There
was n stilf breeze blowing from the north,
which formed strong current up the CANON
and on it were coursing number of ravens |:
now rising, now plunging downward to rush
up against the wind. presenting a fine cx-
hibition OF flight and its possibilities Tho
birds seemed to have gathered for the purpose
Of exhibiting their powers but the most re-
markable evolution would have been missed
had not the opera glass been at hand. With it
the birds could be seen starting from the side
HILL sweeping around tho curve into the CANON
Tho moment they met the full current they
turned as complete Somersault as does a
tumbler pigeon. with this difference. the latter
cannot help himself while the raven performs
the trick for the mere pleasure OF it. Some
times two birds would roll over and over in the
air together without apparently break or
movement Of their feathers-a most remark
able and interesting spectacle.
Visitors to Santa Catalina Island often re-
mark upon the number OF crows seen here;
bur the birds are not crows, but ravens-tne,
large. glossy fellows. that sit around on the
fences and hills and pull corks innumerable,
Just IA did Grip for Barnaby Rudge and Dick
ems. These ravens have been known in history
for several hundred years, being described
first by Father Torquemada. the confcssor OF
the adventurouS Viscaino. This historian
mentions the birds as being great thieves and
having such supreme contempt for the native
women that they alighted by their sides when
they brought in fish and snatrhcd them from
their hands: and as Tho birds were considered
sacred the women did not dare to touch them.
T0-dny the island ravens ar" still thieves.
and the manner In which they prey upon young
chickens and turkeys commands the admira-
ton of the observer II not Of the owner. Two
birds generally address themselves TO the
prospective victim. which. In one instance
observed was hen with large brood. one
raven flew down on one side OF the hen and
began grOtesque dance. hopping on ono leg.
then on the other. acting in such manner
that the old hen Immediately dropped her
wings and charged on the intruder. This left
the field clear for the other raven. n party to
the scheme. which swOOned down and carried
on chicken. When this had been devoured
the two birds returned, and, probably changing
places played the same game 80 successfully
that during the afternoon several chicks were
stolen. the mother hen presumably never see
ing through the trick.
These birds are remarkably initiative.
young raven kept by n shOpkee sat by its
owner one day watching him take some screws
from box. arranging them in certain order
according to size, after which thoy were ,re-
placed. The man soon after left the office, but
on hearing noise returned quietly to find
that the raven had taken the screws from the
box and was arran cling them az nearly as nos
sible as he had done. showing a rema III nhls
Initiative faculty as well as thieving pro- easily.