484 CLASS XVI. 



hungry ; they pilfer also and hide any attractive objects, as pieces of money, 

 children's toys, &c. They are social, cunning, and have a fine sense of 

 smell. Most of the species lay four or five green, brown-spotted eggs in 

 a nest consisting of dry twigs, filled in with earth and covered internally 

 with hair, moss and straw. 



Sp. Corpus corax L., Less. Ornith. PI. 35, fig. i, Naum. Taf. 53, fig. i ; the 

 raven, le corheau, der Rahe; tlie largest European species of this genus; 

 it lives also in the North of Asia, and is rare v/ith us (Holland) ; it lives 

 principally in forests. In North America a similar species occurs {Corvus 

 corax Wilson), another at Java {Corviis corax Eaffles, Corvus macrorhyn- 

 ■chus Temm.). 



Corvus corone L., Buff. PI. enl. 495, Naum. Taf. 53, fig. 2 ; the carrion- 

 crow, der Kruhen-Raie, die Rahenkrahe ; this species also has a representa- 

 tive in North America in Corvus americaniis Audubon, Corvus corone WiLS. ; 

 — Corvus comix L,, Buff. PI. enl. 76, Naum. Taf. 54, the liooded-crow ; 

 this species is grey with black head and tail and black wings, whilst the 

 two first-named species are quite black with bluish-violet reflections. 



Corvus monedula L., Buff. PL enl. 522, 523, Naum. Taf. 56, the jack- 

 daw, is distinguished by a short bill. It builds its nest in our towns on 

 towers, high roofs and chimneys. Here the third quill-feather is the 

 longest. The same character is presented by an Asiatic species (occurring 

 also in Japan), Corvus daurkus Pall., Gray Gen. of Birds PI. Lxxvi. 

 These species form the genus Lycos BoiE, Monedula Beehm. 



In Africa a couple of species are found with very thick and high bill, in 

 which the fourth quill of the wing is the longest. They have a white neck, 

 but are otherwise quite black ; Corvus albicollis Lath., and Corvus crassi- 

 rostris Rueppell. Of these Lesson forms the genus Corvultur. 



Pica Briss. Bill moderate, curved. Wings with first quill short, 

 often narrow, fourth, fifth and sixth subequal, longest of all. Tail 

 elongate, cuneate. 



Sp. Corvus Pi<-a L., Pica varia, Pica caudata (Willugb., Ray), Buff. PI. 

 enl. 488, Less. Ornith. PI. 35, fig. 2, Naum. Taf. 56, fig. 2 ; the mac/pie, 

 la pie, die Elster; a well-known bird, with snow-white shoulders and 

 breast ; the black feathers, especially of the tail, reflecting rich copper and 

 steel-coloured tints ; it likes to make its nest in fruit-trees, and lays 7 or 8 

 eggs. — Corvus cyaneus Pall., in Spain, also in Tartary and Japan, &c. 



Caryocatactes Cuv., Nucifraga BiilSS. Bill subulate, a little 

 longer than head, with tip obtuse, somewhat depressed. Incumbent 

 bristles at the base of bill. Tarsi covered anteriorly with large 

 transverse scutes. Wings with fourth and fifth quills subequal, 

 longest of all. Tail rounded. 



Sp. Caryocatactes nucifratja, Corvus caryocatactes L., Buff. PI. enl. 50, 

 Lesson Ornith. PI. 36, fig. 2, Naum. Taf. 58, fig. 2 ; the nut-cracker, le 

 casse-noix, der Tannenheher, Nusshehcr; very rare in England; Brehm and 



