raven

Department of Agriculture veterinarian epidemiologist, said there was probably very little risk to public health in having the animals piled up — even if they were picked at and consumed by buzzards, ravens and flies.

“Look at the ravens. Their beaks are open.”

The foot has since been removed because of concerns that ravens were disturbing it, according to reports, and passed to the Chinese mountaineering authorities who govern the north face of Everest.

The New York Times published a puffy story in June about two wild ravens that Kennedy had sort of tamed at his Los Angeles home.

Asked what the sound was, Mr. Kennedy paused, then said, “I have a couple of pet ravens.”