PART II. 



DESCRIPTIONS OF SPECIES. 

 Order PASSERIFORMES. 



The Passeres are the most specialised birds. Their feet, 

 with three toes in front and one behind, are adapted for grasp- 

 ing branches or perching ; their vocal organs are well developed 

 for production of song. 



Family CORVID^. Crows. 

 Raven. Corvus corax Linn. 



The Raven (Plate 2), the largest, most powerful and intelli- 

 gent of the crows, has been less successful in maintaining its 

 position than some of its relatives. In parts of Scotland, the 

 Scottish islands, and the west of Ireland it is common, but in 

 England .^nd Wales is only met with in wild hilly country, and, 

 locally, along the western and southern coasts. 



Our European Raven and allied forms are found throughout 

 the Pal^arctic and Nearctic Regions. In the British Isles, except 

 for occasional wandering, the bird is sedentary, though winter 

 immigration has been noted in Scotland and Ireland. 



It has been described as '-'grave, dignified and sedate" ; it is 

 more ; when flying with slow but strong and measured flaps it 

 is purposeful and determined, a great bird with heavy beak and 



