CORVID.E — THE CROWS. 



263 



distribution very nearly tlie same -witli that of tlie Picicorvvs. jMr. Aiken 

 has recent!}' met willi these birds in C'ulurado Territory, wliere, liowever 

 Ml-. Allen did not obtain specimens. General ]McCall found these birds 

 abundant near Santa Fe, in Xew Mexico, at an altitude of seven thousand 

 feet ; and the late Captain Feilner obtained specimens at Fort Crook, in 

 Northeastern California. Dr. Coues considers its range to be the conife- 

 rous zone of vegetation within the geographical area bounded eastward 

 by the foot-hills and slopes of the Rocky Mountaius; westward by the 

 Cascade and Coast ranges ; northward, perhaps to Sitka, but undeter- 

 mined; and somewhat so southward, not traced so far as the ticrra frin 

 of Mexico. 



Dr. Coues adds that, like most birds which subsist indifferently on varied 

 animal or vegetable food, this species is not, strictly speaking, migratory, 

 as it can find food in winter anywhere e.xcept at its loftiest points of 

 distribution. A descent of a few thousand feet from tlie mountains thus 

 answers all the purposes of a southward journey performed by other species, 

 so far as food is concerned, while its hardy nature enables it to endure the 

 rigors of winter. According to liis observations, this bird feeds principally 

 upon juniper berries and pine seeds, and also upon acorns and other small 

 hard fruits. 



Dr. Coues describes this bird as garrulous ami vociferous, with curiously 

 modulated chattering notes when at ease, and witli extremely hiud harsh 

 cries when excited by fear or anger. It is also said to be restless and 

 impetuous, as if of an unlialanced mind. Its attitudes on the ground, to 

 which it frequently descends, are essentially Crow-like, and its gait is an 

 easy walk or run, very different from the leaping manner of progress 

 made by the Jays. When perching, its usual attitude is stiff and firm. 

 Its flight resembles that of the Picicorvits. After breeding, these birds 

 unite in immense flocks, but disperse again in j^airs when the breeding- 

 season commences. 



Nothing, so far, has been published in regard to the character of the 



SuBFA.MiLY GARRULINiE. 



CnAR. Wings short, rounded ; not longer or much shorter than the tail, which is gradu- 

 ated, sometimes excessively so. Wings reaching not much beyond the lower tail-coverts. 

 Bristly feathers at base of bill variable. Bill nearly as long as the head, or shorter. 

 Tarsi longer than the bill or than the middle toe. Outer lateral claws rather shorter than 

 the inner. 



The preceding diagnosis may perhaps characterize the garrnline birds, 

 as compared with the Crows. The subdivisions of the groujj are as 

 follows : — 



