I have trouble understanding this page of "The Raven" HELP!!! 10 points!!!?

The bird starts to interest him and he begins to cheer up slightly at the raven's sombre expression. It's feathers are bedraggled and missing in places, but he can tell it was once a fine example of a noble bird. Basically, he says "Old bird, seeking shelter from the night, what is your name?" The rest is clear enough. There's no mention of drink in the poem a far as I can remember, but as the main character is dwelling on his deceased love, he's probably doing so over a little drinkie.