284 SINGING BIRDS — OSCINES. 



The well-known sagacity and imitative powers of the European raven are 

 doubtless possessed in an equal degree by om-s, which differs very slightly 

 from that species (Corvus corax). For full accounts of the many strange 

 facts and superstitions recorded concerning it, I must refer to other authors. 



Corvus cryptoleucus, Cducn. 



THE WHITE-NECKED CEOW. 



Sp. Char. Tlic fourth quill is longest ; tlio third and filth equal ; the second longer 

 than the sixth ; the first about equal to the se\enth. Glossy black, with violet reflections; 

 feathers of ueek all round, back and breast, snow white at the base. Feathers of throat 



lanceolate ; bristly feathers alonj; the base of the bill, covering it for nearly two thirds its 

 length. Length, about 21.00 ; wing, 14.00 ; tail, 8.50. 



Ilab. Valleys of the Rio Grande and Gila. Abundant on the Llano Estacado. 



Tlie general color of this raven is a lustrous lilack, with violet reflections, 

 almost exactly as in the common species. Its most striking distinctive 

 feature, however, is seen in the feathers of the neck all round, upper part of 

 the back, and the whole of tlie breast, which are pure snowy white for about 

 their basal half. The feathers of the head are plumbeous at the base ; the 

 greatest intensity of white is on the lower part of the neck ; the color fades 

 out on the back and belly into j)binibeous. In no other North American 

 crow is there any approach to this cottony whiteness. A species from Porto 

 Eico (Corvus Imcorjnrquhahis) has the same peculiarity of color. It is of 

 about the same size as C. cryptoleucics, but will be readily distinguished by 

 the nearly naked and exposed nostrils, a character shared by most of the 

 crows of the West Indies. 



Nothing distinctive is known of the habits of this bird. The eggs have, 

 however, been collected, and resemble those of the common raven, although 

 perhaps of paler color. (Baird.) 



