490 CORVINiE. 



or Columbinae, it triturates grain and farinaceous or oleaginous 

 kernels, with the aid of fragments of quartz or other hard sub- 

 stances. The fluid secreted by the pro ventricular glands acts 

 alike on animal and vegetable substances. The intestine being 

 of moderate length and diameter, its inner surface delicately 

 and copiously villous, the chyle derived from the heterogeneous 

 aliment is sufficiently absorbed without requiring large coeca, 

 as in the Gallinae, those organs being in the Crows merely rudi- 

 mentary. The foeces and urine are deposited in the enlarge- 

 ment of the very short rectum, and voided in a semifluid 

 state. 



The moral characteristics common to all are cautiousness, 

 vigilance, and considerable sagacity manifested in various 

 ways. They are easily tamed when obtained young, can be 

 taught to pronounce some words, and m.ake amusing but 

 troublesome pets, as they have a propensity to carry off" and con- 

 ceal anything glittering. Some, as the Rook and Jackdaw, 

 are gregarious ; others, as the Raven and Carrion Crow, un- 

 social. 



Their flight varies, and their manners are in some respects 

 very diiferent. Thus, while the Raven boldly searches the 

 mountains, the moors, the open fields, and the shores, for car- 

 rion, young birds, dead fish, and other articles of food, not dis- 

 daining larvae, worms, and grain, the Jay glides stealthily 

 among the trees and along the hedges, sometimes stealing into 

 the gardens, and feeding on fruits of various kinds, pease, beans, 

 corn, larvfe and w^orms. The larger species resemble the Vul- 

 tures and some Gulls in their habits, while the smaller are 

 allied to the birds of which the next family, the Starlings, are 

 composed. 



Their vision is certainly very acute, as is their hearing ; but 

 the marvellous power of smelling carrion which some species 

 are supposed to possess is very improbable, although there 

 is no reason for supposing that their sense of smell is not as 

 acute as that of most other birds. 



The particular form of foot which they possess, that is, a foot 

 composed of four nearly equal toes, the third considerably 

 longer, the first stronger and directed backwards, all with rather 



