CORVID.^ — THE CROWS. 231 



Family CORVIDiE. — The Crows. 



Char. Primaries ten ; tlie first short, generally about half as long as the second (or a 

 little more); the outer four sinuated on the inner edge. The nasal fossae and nostrils 

 usually more or less concealed by narrow, stifiened bristles (or bristly feathers), with 

 short appressed lateral branches extending to the very tip, all directed forwards (these 

 bristles occasionally wanting). Tarsi scutellate anteriorly, the sides undivided (except 

 sometimes below), and separated from the anterior plates by a narrow naked strip, some- 

 times filled up with small scales. Basal joint of middle toe united about equally to the 

 lateral, generally for about half the length. Bill generally notched. 



The preceding characters distinguish the family of Crows quite markedly 

 from all others. The features of the bristles on the bill, and the separation 

 of the lateral and anterior scales by a narrow interval, are worthy of par- 

 ticular attention. The commissure is without the obtusely angular bend 

 near the base, seen in the Icteridm. 



There are two sub-families of Corvidce represented in America, one embra- 

 cing the true Crows, the other the Jays. They pass very insensibly into each 

 other, and it is difficult to mark the dividing line. We may, however, dis- 

 tinguish these, as found in the United States, by the following characters : — 



Corvinae. Bill as long as the head. Tail short, nearly even ; wings long and pointed, 

 longer than tail, and nearly reaching its tip ; projecting beyond the under tail-coverts, 

 which reach the middle of tail. Tip of wing formed by the third, fourth, and fifth quills, 

 which are longest. 



Garrulinae. Bill usually shorter than head. Tail lengthened, rounded, and generally 

 longer than the wings, which are short, rounded, and extend scarcely beyond the lower 

 tail-coverts ; these not reaching the middle of the tail. Tip of wing formed by the fourth, 

 fifth, and sixth quills, which are longest. 



The row of small scales is usually present on both sides of the tarsi in 

 the CoTvince, but in the Jays is generally restricted to the inner face. 



Subfamily CORVINE. 



Char. "Wings long and pointed ; longer than the tail, and, when closed, reaching 

 nearly to its tip, extending far beyond the under tail-coverts ; the third, fourth, and fifth 

 quills forming the tip of the wing. 



The following diagnosis may serve to distinguisli the tliree genera of 

 North American Corvinm : — 



A. ( Corvece). Bill compressed, much higher than broad ; its tip compressed. 

 Size large (i. e. over 15 inches long), color black, or mainly black. 



Color black throughout ; bill much compressed, the culmen much 

 arched, and the gonys convex ; nasal bristles strong . . . Corvus, 



