CORVID.E — CORVIN.E: CROWS. 485 



Subfamily CORVIN/E : Crows. 



Wings long and pointed, much exceeding tail, tip formed by 3d, 4th, and 5th quills; 2d 

 much shorter, 1st only about ^ as long as 3d. Legs stout, fitted for walking as well as perch- 

 ing. As a rule, the plumage is sombre or at least unva- 

 riegated, — blue, the characteristic color of Jays, being 

 here rare. Sexes alike, and changes of pknnage slight. 

 Crows frequent all situations, and walk firmly and easily 

 on the ground, where Jays hop. They are among the 

 most nearly omnivorous of birds, and as a consequence, 

 in connection with their hardy nature, they are rarely if 

 ever truly migratory. Their nesting is various, accord- Fig. 324. — Typical Corvme bill, 



ing to circumstances, but the fabric is usually rude and bulky; the eggs, of average oscine 

 number, are commonly bluish or greenish, speckled. Although not properly gregarious, as a 

 rule, they often associate in large numbers, drawn together by community of interest. In 

 illustration of this may be instanced the extensive roosting-places in the Atlantic States, com- 

 parable to the rookeries of Europe, wliitlier immense troops of Crows resort nightly, often from 

 great distances, recalling the hue line <if the poet, — 



" The blackening trains of crows to their repose." 



Our 3 genera of CorviiKe are readily known by the black color of Corvus, the gray, white, 

 and black of Nucifraga (Picicorvus), and the blue of Ci/anocephalus. In the latter, as in 

 Psilorhinus of Garrulince, the nostrils are exposed, contrary to the rule in each subfamily. 

 COR'VUS. (Lat. corvus, a crow. Fig. 324.) Ravens. Crows. The species throughout 

 uniform lustrous black, including bill and feet; nasal bristles about half as long as bill, which 

 exhibits the typical cultrirostral style. Nostrils large, entirely concealed. Wings much longer 

 than tail, folding about to its end. Several outer primaries sinuate-attenuate on inner webs. 

 Tail I'ounded, with broad feathers, sinuate-truncate at ends, with mucronate shafts. Feet 

 stout; tarsus more or less nearly equal to middle toe and claw, roughly scutellate in front, 

 laminar beliind, with a set of small plates between. 



Analysis of Species and Subspecies. 



Karens, with throat-feathers acute, lengthened, disconnected. 



About 24.00 long ; wing 16.00-18.00 ; tail about 10.00. Bases of cervical feathers gray. 



Largest : bill averaging 3.00. Chiefly northern corax principalis 



Not so large ; bill not averaging 3.00. Chiefly western corai sinualus 



About 20.00 long ; wing 13.00-14.00 ; tail 7.50-8.50 ; concealed bases of cervical feathers pure white. South- 

 western cryploleucus 



Crows, with throat-feathers oval and blended. 



Length 18-20 ; wing 12-14 ; tail 7-8 ; bill 1 J-2, its height at base J ; tarsus about equal to middle toe and claw, 



longer than bill ; 1st quill not longer than 10th. Chiefly eastern americanus and pascuus 



Small. Length 14-10; wing 10-11 ; tail 0-7 ; bill lJ-2; tarsus rather longer than bill or middle toe and claw; 



Ist quill longer than 10th. Northwestern cuitrinus 



Small; 14-lG inches long ; wing 10-11 ; tail G-7 ; tarsus shorter than middle toe and claw, longer than bill ; 1st 

 quill not longer than 10th. Eastern, chiefly southerly and maritime ossi/ragiis 



C. co'ra.x; sinua'tus. (Gr. K()f}u$, korcu; Lat. cora.r, a croaker — the raven. Lat. sinxatus, 

 have a sinus, re-entrance, or incision ; sinuated, as the inner webs of the outer primaries are. 

 Fig. 325.) Amkhican Raven. Feathers of throat somewhat stiftened, lengthened, pointed, 

 lying loose from one another ; those of neck witli gray downy bases, as elsewhere on the body. 

 Color entirely lu.strous black, with chiefiy purplish and violet burnishing. Length about 2 feet 

 — at least over 20 inches; expanse of wings 4 or 4^ feet — much over a yard. Wing about 

 U feet — at least over 15 inches. Tail about 10 inches; its feathers graduated L50-2.50 



