CRO I VS. 



15^ 



FAMILY I. 

 THE CROWS. CORVID.E. 



General Characteristics.— Bill strong, with the base of the culmen covered with 

 projecting bristling plumes, arched, and the sides compressed to the tip, which is 

 more or less emarginated ; the nostrils basal, and more or less concealed by the 

 basal plumes ; the wings generally long and pointed ; the tail moderate or length- 

 ened ; the tarsi and toes moderate. 



This family includes the numerous species of Crows, and other 

 allied forms. They have a more or less elongated, strong, and 

 compressed conical bill, in which the ridge of the upper mandible 

 is curved, and its tip slightly notched on each side. The nostrils 

 are placed at the base of the upper mandible, and concealed be- 

 neath a group of small feathers that grow there. The wings are 

 generally long and powerful, and the feet of moderate length and 

 size. These birds seem almost equally adapted to a terrestrial 

 and an aerial existence : they walk and run upon the ground with 

 equal facility, rise easily from the earth, fly well, and display con- 

 siderable activity among the branches of trees. They are very 

 generally distributed over the face of the globe, and everywhere 

 readily find the means of living ; for most of them are by no 

 means particular about their diet — some even attacking and de- 

 vouring small birds and such weakly animals as they can con- 

 veniently overcome. They are, for the most part, very noisy, with 

 much slyness and drollery in their disposition, and many of them, 

 especially when tame, exhibit a strong inclination for thievery and 

 mischief 



The birds composing this sub-family bear so strong a resem- 

 blance to each other, that the most unpractised observer can 

 scarcely fail to recognize them. They manifest a corresponding 

 similarity of instinct, being shy, easily alarmed, vigilant, and 

 cunning. Omnivorous in the fullest sense, they devour flesh, fish, 

 mollusca, grubs, insects, grains, seeds, and other animal and vege- 

 table substances. When searching for food, they betake them- 

 selves to open places, walk in a sedate manner, keep a good look- 

 out, and on the slightest appearance of danger fly off to a distance. 

 Their flight is steady, moderately rapid, and performed by regular 

 beats. Their cry varies from a hoarse croak to a caw or chatter, 

 and none of them, with the exception, perhaps, of the piping crows, 

 can be called musical. They nestle in high places, trees, towers, 



