194 CONIKOSTRES. 



FAMILY I. 



CoRViD.E. The Croivs. 



Gen. Charac. — Bill strong, with the Ijase of the culmen covered with pro- 

 jecting bristling plumes, arched, and the sides compressed to the tip, which 

 is more or less emarginated ; the nostrils basal, and more or less concealed 

 by the basal plumes ; the wings generally long and pointed; the tail mode- 

 rate or lengthened ; the tarsi and toes moderate. 



Tliis family includes the numerous species of 

 Crows and other allied forms. They have a more 

 or less elongated, strong, and compressed conical 

 bill, in which the ridge of the upper mandible is 

 curved, and its tip slightly notched on each side. 

 The nostrils are placed at the base of the upper 

 mandible, and concealed beneath a group of small 

 feathers that grow there. The wings are generally 

 long and powerful, and the feet of moderate length 

 and size. These birds seem almost equally adapted 

 to a terrestrial and an aerial existence ; they walk 

 and run upon the ground with equal facility, rise 

 easily from the earth, fly well, and display consider- 

 able activity among the branches of trees. They 

 are very generally distributed over the face of the 

 globe, and everywhere readily find the means of 

 living ; for most of them are by no means particular 

 about their diet; some even attacking and de- 

 vouring small birds, and such weakly animals as 

 they can conveniently overcome. They are, for the 

 most part, very noisy, with much slyness and 

 drollery in their disposition, and many of them, 

 especially when tame, exhibit a strong inclination 

 for thievery and mischief. 



The birds composing this sub-family bear so 

 strong a resemblance to each other, that the most 

 unpractised observer can scarcely fail to recognize 

 them. They manifest a corresponding similarity of 

 instinct, being shy, easily alarmed, vigilant, and 

 cunning. Omnivorous in the fullest sense, they 



