20 CDRYID.i:. 



d'. Gradujilion of tail more than leiigtli of 



tardus ; rictal bristles moderate or 



obsolete. 



c" . Nostrils nearer edg-e of culmeii than 



tu lower edge of upper mandible. 



c'". l)ill about half length oi head, 



deep and notched GARRur.rs, p. 59. 



d'" . Bill about same length as head, 



slender and not notched Nucifraga. p. 60. 



d" . Nostrils nearer lower edge of upper 

 mandible than to culmen. 

 e" . Wings long, falling short of the tip 

 of the tail by less than length of 



tarsus I'vuKiiocoRAX, p. (i!). 



/'". Wings sliurt, falling short of the 

 tip of the tail by more than length 

 of tarsus . . . , Podoces, p. 71. 



Genus CORVUS Limi., 1700. 



The genus Corvas contains the Kavens, CroM s, Kooks and 

 Jackdaws. Seven species are found in India, several of •vvhicii are 

 divisible into well-marked geographical races, some of which were 

 ranked by Gates as species whilst others equally easily differen- 

 tiated were aU,ogether ignored. Of the seven species some are 

 widely distributed and well known to all, and others are confined 

 to the Himalayas and tlie north-west portion of the Empire. 



Corvus has the phimage black throughout or nearly througli- 

 out, and may be recognized by the position of the nostrils, which 

 are placed far f orw'ard, about one-third the length of the bill from 

 the forehead, and are entirely concealed from view by a multitude 

 of very stiff, straight bristles that reach the middle of the bill. 

 In these characters this genus agrees with the Magpies ; but 

 the latter may be separated by the length of the tail, which is 

 very much longer rlian the wing, and the shape of the first 

 primary, which is figured on p. 37. 



The Crows are with two exceptions resident, the other two 

 being oidy winter visitors. 



The Eook forms a partial exception to the general cliaracters 

 given above for determining Corvns. Up to nine months of age 

 it has the ordinary stiff bristles over the nostrils, but at that age 

 it casts them all off, as well as the feathers on the front part of 

 the head. Its appearance in this state is well depicted in the 

 figure of the head given on p. 31. 



Keij to Species. 



A. Size large, wing always over 380 nun C. cora.r, p. L*I. 



B. Size smaller, wing always under .380 mm. 

 fl. Crown and neck concolorous or nearly so. 



a'. Lower plumage with little s-loss, and this 

 blue fir green; bill stout, face feathered 

 in adults. 



