CORTTD.E — THE CROWS. 281 



Family CORVIDJE. — The Crows. 



Cn.\R. Primaries ton ; the first short, geuerally about half as long as the secoml (or a 

 little more) ; the outer four sinuated on the mner edge. The nasal fossas and iioslrils 

 usually more or less concealed by narrow, stiflened bristles (or bi'istly feathers), with 

 short apprcssed lateral branches extending to the very tip, all directed forwards (these 

 bristles occasionally wanting). Tarsi scutellate anteriorly, the sides undivided (except 

 sometimes below), and separated from the anterior plates by a narrow naked strip, some- 

 times filled up with small scales. Basal joint of middle toe united about equally to the 

 lateral, generally for about half the length. Bill generally notched. 



The precediug cliaracters distiDguisli the i'amily of Crows (pute markedly 

 I'roni all otiier.s. The feattires of the bristles on the bill, and the .separation 

 of the lateral and anterior scales by a narrow inter\-al, are worthy of i)ar- 

 ticular attention. The commissure is without the obtusely angular bend 

 near the base, seen in the Idcridce. 



There are two sub-families of Corvidce rejjresented in America, one embra- 

 cing the true Crows, the other the Jays. They pass very insensibly into each 

 other, and it is difficult to mark the dividing line. We may, however, dis- 

 tinguish these, as found in the United States, l)y the following characters : — 



Corvinae. Bill as long as the head. Tail short, nearly even ; wings long and pointed, 

 longer than tail, and nearly reaching its tip; projecting beyond the under tail-covert.s, 

 which reach the middle of tail. Tip of wing formed by the third, fourth, and fifth quills, 

 wliii-h arc Inncost. 



Garrulinae. Bill usually shorter than head. Tail lengthened, roundeil, and generally 

 longer than the wings, which are short, rounded, and extend scarcely beyond the lower 

 taU-coverts ; these not reaching the middle of the tail. Tip of wing formed by the fourth, 

 fifth, and sixth quills, which are longest. 



Tlie row of small scales is usually present on both sides of the tarsi in 

 the Corviua:, but in the Jays is generally restricted to the inner face. 



Subfamily CORVIN-ffi. 



Char. Wings long and pointed ; longer than the tail, and, when closed, reaching 

 nearly to its tip, extending far beyond the under tail-coverts ; the third, fourth, and fifth 

 qudls forming the tip of the wing. 



The following diagnosis may serve to distinguisli the three genera of 

 North American Corvincc : — 



A. (Coi-vece). Bill compressed, much higher than broad ; its lip compressed. 

 Size large (i. e. over 15 inches long), color black, or mainly black. 



Color black throughout; bill much compressed, the culmon much 

 arched, and the gonys convex ; nasal bristles strong . . . Corvnn 



