CORVIDJi; — THE CROWS — COKVUS. 



281 



Genus CORVUS, Linnjeus. 



Corvus, LiNN^us, Syst. Nat. 1735. (Type, Cornis corax, L.) 



Sp. Char. The nasal feathers lengthened, reaching to or beyond the middle of the 

 bill. Nostrils large, circular, overhung behind by membrane, the edges rounded else- 

 where. Rictus without bristles. Bill nearly as long as the tarsus, very stout; much 

 higher than broad at the base ; culmen much arched. Wings reaching to or nearly to the 



C o^sifrngvs. 



tip of the tail. Tarsi about equal to the middle toe, sometimes with a series of small 

 scales on the middle of each side, separating the anterior scutellate portion from the pos- 

 terior continuous plates. Side of the hea<l occasionally with nearly naked patches. Tail 

 graduated or rounded ; the outer four primaries sinuated internally. 



Besides oitr species, there is one in Texas wliicli lias tlie featliers of neck 

 and breast sno^\•y white at base (C. cryptoleucus, Couch) ; and another very 

 large raven in Mexico (and New Mexico ?). 



