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Old 08-17-2021, 11:17 PM   #17 (permalink)
MadAlice




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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
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Hogwarts RPG Name:
Tapio DeVries
Graduated

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Hope Archard
Ravenclaw
Fourth Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Jane Elspeth Howard
Mysteries
Default Any volunteers?

It was Pippa's turn again and she was ready! No more talking creatures in public, she'd decided. This time she would show a much more respectable group, and indeed, the striking white raven she was carrying perched on her forearm was quite stately and dignified.

As Pippa reached the platform, she transfigured several stools into perches, then turned to face the audience. "Hi, folks, back again. This time I've got a group of ravens, which would properly be called 'an unkindness of ravens.' Pippa paused to let that sink in.

"Ravens are part of the genus Corvus, which covers quite a lot of different birds. Ravens are very similar to crows except for a few differences, the most noticeable one being their larger size. The type most commonly found in the Northern Hemisphere is the corvus corax or 'common raven,' although no raven is really common. They usually live about 10 to 15 years, but have been known to get as old as 23. They have a wide range of vocalizations, the most distinctive being a sort of deep 'prruk...prruk sound." As Pippa demonstrated how a raven might sound, the white raven on her arm also made deep 'prruk...prruk' sound in response. Pippa chuckled and went on, "Most ravens are black, but there are a few white ravens, like Balder here." Pippa paused a moment to gaze fondly at the white raven on her arm.

"Ravens are very intelligent and playful--other birds will land if they see ravens already there because they figure if the ravens think it's okay, it must be safe. And they mate for life." As she said this last, Pippa made a couple of sharp, distinctive whistles, and a pair of black ravens flew up to the platform and settled themselves on two of the perches. "This is Troy and Cressie, a mated pair, and they'd like to do a trick for you, if someone would like to volunteer to help me?" With that, Pippa looked expectantly out at the audience--surely someone, maybe one of these kids, would like to get up close with a raven?
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