350 ZOOLOGY. 



Sub-Order 4. Conirostres, or Cone-billed Birds. 



Another very large assemblage of birds, comprising the crows, starlings, 

 sparrows, finches, grosbeaks, tanagers, and many other birds distributed 

 throughout the world. They have the bill always strong, and more or less 

 conical, and are in all respects fitted for subsisting on fruits or seeds, which 

 are the exclusive food of many groups, though others are omnivorous, and 

 eat indiscriminately vegetable or animal substances; the latter, however, 

 more by necessity than choice. 



Fam. 1. CoRviD^, OR Crows. Bill rather lengthened and strong, some- 

 what curved, and frequently with bristle-like plumes at its base. Wings 

 generally long and pointed ; tail rather long ; tarsi and feet strong. 



This family comprises all the birds known as crows, jays, magpies, and 

 several other groups of birds more or less nearly related to them. 



Sub-fam. 1. Phony gamince, or Piping Crows. Bill lengthened, broad at 

 base, extended upon the forehead ; wings long, pointed ; tail rather long ; 

 tarsi and feet strong. Size rather large. 



About ten species only of very peculiar birds are arranged in this group. 

 They are found only in Australia and the Island of New Guinea. The 

 Australian species have rather handsome plumage of white and black 

 colors, and although they appear to possess habits bearing a general resem- 

 blance to those of the crows, some of the species have voices which are 

 rather agreeable ; others, however, have such clamorous and discordant 

 notes that they have acquired the generic name of Strepera. S. graculina 

 is a common species. 



Suh-fam. 2. GarrulincB, or Jays. Bill moderate, rather strong, com- 

 pressed, curved ; wings moderate, rounded ; tail various, usually length- 

 ened and rounded ; tarsi and feet moderate ; toes long. Size smallest of 

 this ftimily, colors more or less blue and white. 



This sub-family contains the jays of Europe and Asia, and of America, 

 of which there are about forty species. 



Tl;e common jay of Europe, Garrulus glandarius {pi. 99, fig. 1). 

 inhabits the entire continent, and is one of the most handsome of European 

 birds. His general plumage is of pale reddish purple, contrasting with the 

 deep black of his wings and tail, and the brilliant blue of a few feathers of 

 his wing. To these may be added his quick movements and lively habits, 

 which altogether make him quite an ornament to the woods. He builds on 

 high old trees, and when taken young is easily tamed. 



There are about twenty-five species of Ameincan jays, of which the 

 crested jay or jay bird of the United States is a familiar example {G. 

 crisiatus). This elegant bird is peculiar to North America, and is distin- 

 guished by the brilliancy, or perhaps gaudiness, of his plumage, which is 

 very agreeably variegated with blue, black, and white. He is very loqua- 

 cious and capricious in his manners, and so remarkable for his odd gestures 

 that he may appropriately enough be called the fop of the American 

 forest. 



Steller's jay {G. stelleri) and several other species inhabit western North 

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