162 CORVID&, CROWS AND JAYS.—GEN. 95. 
tion by at least one-third, in both cases. They have been divided into five sub- 
families ; three of these are small and apparently specialized groups confined to 
the Old World, where they are represented most largely in the Australian and 
Indian regions; the other two, constituting the great bulk of the family, are more 
nearly cosmopolitan. These are the Corvine aiid Garruline, readily distinguish- 
able, at least so far as our forms are concerned. 
Subfamily CORVIN-4E. Crows. 
With the wings long and pointed, much exceeding the tail, the tip formed by the 
3d, 4th and 5th quills; the legs stout, fitted for walking as well as perching. Asa 
rule, the plumage is sombre or at least unvariegated — blue, the characteristic color 
of the jays, being here rare. The sexes are alike, and the changes of plumage 
slight. Although technically oscine, these birds are highly unmusical ; the voice of 
the larger kinds is raucous, that of the smaller strident. They frequent all situa- 
tions, and walk firmly and easily on the ground. They are among the most nearly 
omnivorous of birds, and as a consequence, in connection with their hardy nature, 
they are rarely if ever truly migratory. Their nesting is various, according to 
circumstances, but the fabric is usually rude and bulky; the eggs, of the average 
oscine number, are commonly bluish or greenish, speckled. Although not prop- 
erly gregarious, as a rule, they often associate in large numbers, drawn together by 
community of interest. In illustration of this, may be instanced the extensive 
roosting-places in the Atlantic States, comparable to the rookeries of Europe, 
whither immense troops of crows resort nightly, often from great distances, recall- 
ing the fine line of the poet— 
“The blackening trains of Crows to their repose.” 
95. Genus CORVUS Linneus. 
*,* The species throughout uniform lustrous black, including the bill and feet ; 
nasal bristles about half as long as the bill. 
* Ravens, with the throat-feathers acute, lengthened, disconnected. 
Raven. About 2 feet long; wing 16-18 inches; tail about 10. North 
America; but now rare in the United States, east of the Mississippi, and 
altogether wanting in most of the States; Labrador, ranging southward, 
rarely, along the coast to the Middle districts; very abundant in the west, 
there generally supplanting the crow. Whuzs., ix, 136, pl. 75, f. 3; Nurt., 
i, 202; Aup., iv, 78, pl. 224; Bp. 560. C-. cacolotl Bp., 563. corax (var?). 
White-necked Raven. Smaller; concealed bases of cervical feathers 
pure white. Southwestern U.S. Bp., 565; Coop., 284. cRYPTOLEUCUS. 
** Crows, with the throat-feathers oval and 
blended. 
Crow. Length 18-20; wing 13-14; tail 
about 8; bill 13-2, its height at base 2; 
tarsus about equal to the middle toe and claw. 
Eastern North America, chiefly U. 8., not 
ordinarily found westward in the interior, 
where the raven abounds. Wuzs., iv, 79, pl. 25, f. 3; Nurr., i, 209; 
ADD, 1Vi5:80 5 pla 220 36BD:, (066. eee oh ke eee) PANTRIG ANTS: 
Fig. 103. Bill of Crow. 
