20 CORVID®. 
d’. Graduation of tail more than length of 
tarsus; rictal bristles moderate or 
obsolete. 
ec’, Nostrils nearer edge of culmen than 
to lower edge of upper mandible. 
ce", Bill about half length ot head, 
deep andimotched © 120%... GARRULLUS, p. 59. 
d'', Bill about same length as head, 
slender and not notched PO aA ee NucIFRAGA, p. 66. 
d'', Nostrils nearer lower edge of upper 
mandible than to culmen. 
e’, Wings long, falling short of the tip 
of the tail ‘by less than length of 
FALSUSHio See ions Oe eieeecin ccs PyRRHOCORAX, p. 69, 
. Wings short, falling short of the 
tip of the tail by more than length 
OWN CATISTES es, crode eh wie grate mekeTe emalmeals Popocss, p. 71. 
Genus CORVUS Linn., 1766. 
The genus Corvus contains the Ravens, Crows, Rooks and 
Jackdaws. Seven species are found in India, several of which are 
divisible into well-marked geographical races, some of which were 
ranked by Oates as species w ‘hilst others equally easily differen- 
tiated were altogether ignored. Of the seven species some are 
widely distributed and well known to all, and others are confined 
to the Himalayas and the north-west portion of the Empire. 
Corvus has the plumage black throughout or nearly through- 
out, and may be recognized by tie position of the nostrils, which 
are plac ed far forward, about one-third the length of the bill from 
the forehead, and are entirely concealed from view by a multitude 
of very stiff, straight bristles that reach the middle of the bill. 
In these span tuees this genus agrees with the Magpies; but 
the latter may be separated by the length of the tail, which is 
very much longer than the wing, and “the shape of the first 
primary, w hich i is figured on p. 37. 
The Crows are with two exceptions resident, the other two 
being only winter visitors. 
The Rook forms a partial exception to the general characters 
given above for determining Corvus. Up to nine months of age 
it has the ordinary stiff bristles over the nostrils, but at that age 
it casts them all off, as well as the feathers on the front part 4k 
the head. Its appearance in this state is well depicted in the 
figure of the head given on p. 31. 
Key to Species. 
A. Size large, wing always over 880 mm. ...... C. coraa,p. 21, 
B. Size smaller, wing alw ays under 580 mm. 
a. Crow n and neck concolorous or nearly so. 
a’. Lower plumage with little gloss, and this 
blue or green; bill stout, face feathered 
in adults, 
