496 CORVUS. CROV^^ 



Tail of moderate length or long, rounded in various degrees, of 

 twelve broad, rounded feathers. 



The species of this genus bear so strong a resemblance to 

 each other that the most unpractised observer can scarcely fail 

 to distinguish a crow. They manifest a corresponding simi- 

 larity of instinct, being shy, easily alarmed, vigilant and cun- 

 ning. Omnivorous in the fullest sense, they devour flesh, fish, 

 mollusca, grubs, insects, grain, seeds, and other animal and 

 vegetable substances ; and although each species has a predi- 

 lection for particular kinds of food, their choice is in no instance 

 confined even to a few different substances. When searching 

 for food, they betake themselves to open places, walk in a se- 

 date manner, keep a good look-out, and on the least appearance 

 of danger fly oft' to a distance. Their flight is also sedate, mo- 

 derately rapid, and performed by regular beats. Their cry 

 varies from a hoarse croak to a caw or chatter, and none of 

 them are musical. They nestle in high places, trees, towers, 

 buildings of various kinds, or rocks, and produce from three to 

 nine eggs, which are deposited very early in the season. They 

 repose at night in similar places, and when alarmed by day 

 generally betake themselves to heights. Some species are gre- 

 garious, others unsocial, the latter being the more carnivorous ; 

 but even they are observed to associate together, when a large 

 quantity of food attracts them to a particular place. The sexes 

 do not differ much in external appearance, the male however 

 being in general more robust and having the plumage more 

 glossy. Moulting takes place in the summer months, and is 

 very gradual. Those which are more carnivorous have the 

 faculty of discovering carrion at a great distance, in the same 

 manner as the Vultures, which they in some degree resemble 

 in their habits. They are all easily tamed, and may be taught 

 to imitate the human voice so far as to produce a few articu- 

 late sounds. In a state of domestication they are much ad- 

 dicted to pilfering, their depredations not being confined to ar- 

 ticles of food, but extending to objects in no respect useful to 

 themselves. 



The affinities of this genus are various. It is allied to Pitta, 

 Paradisaea, Glandarius, Caryocatactes, Fregilus, and many 



