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Medieval towns lured them in as street cleaners. Ancient Romans revered them
as prophets. The raven has variously popped up as Apollo’s consort and, in Inuit
legend, as creator of light. Now often persecuted, this big daddy of the crow
tribe is well served by Derek Ratcliffe’s The Raven (T&AD Poyser/Academy,
£25, ISBN 085 661 090 9), a natural history with its emphasis on Britain
and Ireland, that covers everything from habitat to potential intelligence.
Powerful illustrations complement writing of real insight into these formidable,
yet playful, birds.