de corvo; the raven

***

"The raven gets its name, corvus or corax, from the sound it makes in its throat, because it utters a croak.

It is said that when its young have been hatched, this bird does not feed them fully until it sees that they have black feathers similar to its own. But after it has seen that they are of dark plumage, and has recognised them as of its own species, it feeds them more generously.

When the raven's young clothe themselves in black feathers, they also give promise of flying, as the more the teacher's pupils despise themselves, the more their conscience is troubled because of their worthlessness, the greater is their promise of rising to a higher realm."

(Aberdeen Bestiary)

***