100 



THE BALD-HEADED CROW. 



THE BALD-HEADED CROW 



Belongs to a family regarded as nearly allied to the Manaken, although 

 differing considerably from the latter in the peculiarity of its habits and 

 the superiority of its size, which varies from that of a Crow to that of a 

 Thrush. This bird is recognizable by its powerful body, short neck, 

 moderately long and pointed wings, in which the third quill exceeds the 

 rest in length, short tail, composed of twelve feathers and straight at its 

 extremity. The beak varies somewhat in different groups, but is 



BALD-HEADED CROW. 



usually flatly compressed both towards the base and at the hooked lip, 

 which is furnished with a slight cavity for the reception of the end of 

 the lower mandible. The gape extends very far back, nearly to beneath 

 the eyes. The feet, though short and strong, are only fitted for perch- 

 ing, and are seldom employed as means of progression. The plumage 

 is thick, compact, and composed of large feathers, but differs so consid- 

 erably in different species as to render a general description impossible. 

 In all the members of the family the windpipe is very wide, and fur- 

 nished on each side with a delicate layer of muscular fibres. 



