CORVID-'E — THE CROWS AND JAYS. 331 



B. Feathers of the throat normal; i. e.. short, broad, and blended. (Crotcs.^ 

 S. C. americanas. Plumage glo.';sed with purplish violet, but this hardly perceptible 



on bead and neck. Wing 12 inches or more; tail 7 or more; culmen 1.80 or more; 



tarsus 2 or more. 

 i. C. ossifragus. Plumage glossed with violet-blue, more greenish on head. neck and 



lower parts, the gloss very perceptible throughout. Wings less than 11 inches; 



tail about 6.50; culmen 1.5S; tarsus, 1.65. 



Corvus corax sinatus (Wagl.) 



AMERICAN RAVEN. 

 Corvun camivorus "Bakth." Baikd. B. N. Am. 185S. .560; ed. 1860, pi. 21; Cat. N. Am. B. 

 1859. No. 423. 

 Corvus corax var. cariiii-orus B. B. & K. Hist. N. Am. B. ii, 1874, 233. 234, pi. 37, flg. 6. 

 Corvus corax carnivorus Ridgw. Xom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 280. 



Corvns corax WiLS. Am. Orn. ix. 1825. 136. pi. 75. flg. S.-NuTT. Man. i, 1832. 202.— A UD. 

 Orn.Biog. ii, 1834, 476, pi. 101; Synop.1839. 150; B. Am.iv,lg43. 78. pi. 224.— Co UES, Key, 

 1872,162; Cheek List. 1874. No. 226; 2d ed. 1882. No. 338; B. N. W. 1874.204. 

 Corvus sinuatus Waol. Isis. 1829. 748. 



Corvus cacalote Wagl. Isis. 1831. 527.— Baied. B.N.Am. 18,58.563; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, 



Nos. 423. 424. 



Sp. Chae. Adult. Tail graduated; feathers ot throat lanceolate, those of neck, jugu- 



lum, and fore part ot back gray— at bases. Entire plumage glossy black, the upper parts, 



especially wings and tail, with rich purplish reflections. Bill and feet black; iris brown. 



Total length (fresh), 25 to 27 inches; extent. 49 to 51: wing (in skins), about 17; tail. 10. 



The Raven is a very local and nowhere abundant bird in Illinois. 

 The writer has seen it only in the bottoms of Big Creek and about 

 the borders of Fox Prairie, in Eiehland County, where, up to 1871 at 

 least, one or two pairs might be seen at almost any time, usually soar- 

 ing in circles over the timber. It was never observed in the vicinity 

 of Mount Caimel, nor have I ever been able to hear of its oc- 

 currence anywhere in that portion of the State except in the locali- 

 ties mentioned. According to Mr. Nelson it was "formerly a not 

 uncommon resident" in the northeastern portion of the State, but 

 "now [1876] occurs only in winter and is rare." Mr. Nelson further 

 remarks : "Frequents the sand hills along the lake shore from the 

 last of October until spring. The fii-st of November, 1875, I saw 

 several specimens near Waukegan, where they were repeatedly seen 

 fljdng along the lake shore, and in winter they unite in small flocks 

 and move from place to place." 



Corvus americanus Aud. 



COMMON CROW. 

 Fopalar synonyms. American Crow; Tom Crow (Nevada). 

 Corvus corone WiLS. Am. Orn. iv. 1814. 79. pi. 25. flg. 3 (neo Linn.)— Sw. & Rich. F. B.- 



A-ii. 1831.291.- NUTT. Min.'i, 1852. 209. 

 Corvus americanus Avi>. Orn. Biog. ii. 1834,817; v, 1839, 477, pi. 156; Synop. 1S59, 156; B. 

 Am. iv, 1842, 87, pi. 225.— Nutt. Man. 2d ed. i, 1840. 221.— Baied.B. N. Am. 1858,566; Cat. 

 N. Am. B. 1859. No. 426.— CoUES. Key, 1872, 162; Check List, 1873, No. 228; B. N. W. 

 1S74, 206.— B. B. & K. Hist. N. Am. B. ii,1874,233,234,pl. 37, flg. 5. 



