XVlll INTRODUCTION. 



pointed and elongated, forming a crest. Wings as in Sfiirnits. Tail moderate, 

 the feathers mostly rounded at the tips. Tarsus scutellated in front, covered 

 at the sides by an indistinctly divided plate, forming a sharp ridge behind ; 

 claws rather more curved than in Slitrnits (p. 229). 



Family CORVID.^i. 



Pyrrhocorax, TitnstaU. — Beak slender, compressed, arched and pointed. 

 Nostrils basal, hidden by small, closely-set feathers. Wings long and 

 graduated ; the first primary much shorter than the second, and about half as 

 long as the third, the fourth the longest. Tail nearly even. Tarsus longer 

 than the middle toe, to which the outer toe is united as far as its first joint ; 

 claws strong and much curved (p. 231). 



NuciFRAGA, Brisson. — Beak alDout as long as the head, hard, stout and straight, 

 dilated at the base ; both mandibles terminating obtusely. Nostrils basal, 

 round, hidden by stiff feathers directed forwards, leathers of the crown 

 short. Wings graduated, the fifth primary being the longest. Tail slightly 

 rounded. Tarsus longer than the middle toe, to which the outer toe is 

 united at the base (p. 233). 



Garrulus, Brisson. — Beak shorter than the head, hard, stout and compressed, 

 straight at the base, sharp at the edges, commissure straight. Nostrils basal, 

 hidden by stiff feathers directed forwards. Feathers of the crown long and 

 erectile. Wings moderate, rounded ; the first primary short and not 

 attenuated, the fourth, fifth and sixth nearly equal, and one of them the 

 longest in the wing. Tail moderately long and rounded. Nostrils, tarsi 

 and toes much as in Niicifraga (p. 235). 



Pica, Brisson. — Beak stout and compressed, straight at the base, arched towards 

 the point, and slightly notched near the tip of the upper mandible. Nostrils 

 as in Niicifraga. Wings short and rounded ; the first primary attenuated 

 for two-thirds of its length and very short, the fourth or fifth the longest. 

 Tail very long and graduated. Tarsus longer than the middle toe, to which 

 the outer toe is united as far as its first joint (p. 237). 



CORVUS, Linndiis. — Beak more or less stout, compressed, straight at the base, 

 arched towards the point and sharp at the edges. Nostrils basal, generally 

 hidden by stiff feathers directed forwards. Wings long and graduated ; the 

 first primary much shorter than the second, the fourth the longest. Tail 

 more or less graduated. Tarsus longer than the middle toe, to which the 

 outer toe is united as far as its first joint (p. 239). 



Family ALAUDID.E. 



Tarsus scutellated behind as well as before. 



Alauda, Linnceiis. — Bill moderate to stout, slightly compressed at the edges ; 

 upper mandible more or less arched from the middle and without notch. 

 Nostrils basal, oval, covered by bristly feathers directed forward. Gape 

 straight. Wings long : the first primary usually short but sometimes well 

 developed ; second, third and fourth nearly equal, but the third generally 

 the longest. Tail moderate and slightly forked. Tarsus longer than the 

 middle toe ; claws slightly curved and moderate, except that of the hind toe, 

 which is often elongated and nearly straight (p. 249). 



