20 XJORVID^E. 



d'. Graduation of tail more than length of 

 tarsus; rictal hristles moderate or 

 obsolete. 

 c". Nostrils nearer edge of culmen than 



to lower edge of upper mandible. 

 c'". Bill about half length ot head, 



deep and notched GARRUI.US, p. 59. 



d'". Bill about same length as head, 



slender and not notched NUCIFRAGA, p. 60. 



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 



tarsus ." PYRUHOCORAX, p. 69. 



/". Wings short, falling short of the 

 tip of the tail by more than length 

 of tarsus PODOCRS, p. 71 . 



Genus CORVUS Linn., 1766. 



The genus Corviis contains the Eavens, Crows, Eooks and 

 Jackdaws. Seven species are found in India, several of which are 

 divisible into well-marked geographical races, some of which were 

 ranked by Gates ^as species whilst 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 the position of the nostrils, which 

 are placed 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 characters 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, which 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 of 

 the head. Its appearance in this state is well depicted in the 

 figure of the head given on p. 31. 



Kty to Species. 



A. Size large, wing always over 380 mm C. cora.r, p. 21. 



B. Size smaller, wing always under 380 mm. 

 a. Crown and neck concolorous or nearly so. 



a '. Lower plumage with little gloss, and this 

 blue or green ; bill stout, face feathered 

 in adults. 



