AYES. 351 



America, but the majority of the species are natives of South America and 

 Mexico. 



Suh-fam. 3. Callcnatince, or Tree Croios. Bill short, much curved, com- 

 pressed ; wings short, rounded ; tail lengthened ; tarsi and toes rather long, 

 scaled. 



A small group of fifteen or twenty birds found in Asia and Africa. 

 They are represented as partaking in some measure of both crow and 

 jay-like characters, frequenting open places or skirts of the forest or on the 

 ground, and feeding on fruits or small animals. They are birds of very 

 plain plumage, and unatt^ctive general characters and appearance. Tem- 

 nurus leucopterus and rufus are frequently seen in collections from India. 



Suh-fam. 4. Corvince, or Crows. Bill long, large, broad at base, curved, 

 with projecting plumes at base ; wings long, rounded ; tail rather long ; 

 tarsi and feet strong. Size various, frequently large, color generally black. 



Contains the ravens, crows, magpies, and nutcrackers. Of the ravens 

 about ten species are known, which inhabit all parts of the world except 

 South America. The raven of Europe, Corvus corax {pi. 98, fig. 12), 

 has been observed since the earliest period of history. He is found in all 

 parts of the old world, and inhabits all climates, braving the cold of polar 

 regions or the heat of the tropics. In the eating line nothing comes amiss 

 to him, for he can accommodate himself to fruits or insects if he cannot 

 obtain his favorite grain or recently dead animal matter. 



The raven is said to be the most long-lived of birds, having been known 

 to live nearly a hundred years. His voice is peculiarly harsh and start- 

 ling, and with his black plumage has induced various superstitious notions 

 respecting him. His sudden appearance near a human dwelling has been 

 regarded as especially portentous, as expressed in Othello ■ 



" It comes o'er my memory 

 As doth the raven o'er the infected house, 

 Boding to all." 



The American raven is very similar in all respects to that of Europe. 

 He is met with in all mountainous districts of North America, and in the 

 winter frequently resorts to the shores of both the Atlantic and Pacific 

 oceans. He is much more abundant, however, on the Pacific side of 

 North America. There appear to be no superstitious ideas amongst the 

 Indians attached to this bird. 



Several other Ravens are known, one of which, a large species of 

 Southern Africa (C alhicollis), though the greater portion of his plumage 

 is perfectly black, has the back pure white. 



The common crow of Europe (C corone) is a species which inhabits the 

 entire continent, and is next in size to the raven amongst the European 

 birds of this genus. The hooded crow, C. comix {pi. 98, fig. 13), is 

 another common European species. His plumage is unlike the greater 

 number of crows, being ashy grey, having the head and tail only black. 

 The jackdaw, C. monedula {pi. 98, fig. 11), is, however, the best known of 



555 



