THE CROW FAMILY 



[ORDER : Pdsseriformes. FAMILY : C6rvldd\ 

 PRELIMINARY CLASSIFIED NOTES 1 



[P. C. B. JOTTED AIN. F. B. KIBKMAN *] 



RAVEN \C6rvus corax, Linnaeus. Corbie, corbie-crow, or great corbie-crow, 

 to distinguish it from the next species. French, corbeau; German, 

 Kolkrabe ; Italian, corvo imperiale]. 



i. Description. Black all over with purplish blue reflections. It may be 

 distinguished from the carrion-crow by its larger size, and by having the end of 

 the tail distinctly rounded, that of the smaller species being almost square. 

 Length 25 in. [634'5 mm.]. (PI. 1.) Female smaller. The young are duller in 

 plumage, and do not attain to quite the full lustre of the adults till after their 

 second autumn moult. [F. B. K.] 



2-3. Distribution and Migration. A Palsearctic and Nearctic species, 

 which has been separated into several Geographical races. Our British birds belong 

 to the form which is found over the greater part of the Continent, with the exception 

 of the Iberian peninsula, where it is replaced by the Spanish race, C. corax 

 hispanus ; while the Faroes, Iceland, Corsica and Sardinia, North -West 

 Africa, and the Greek islands are inhabited by other local forms. In England, 

 though not uncommon half a century ago, it is now rare except in the Devonian 

 Peninsula, Lakeland, etc., but it is still numerous in Wales, and in some parts of 

 Scotland, as well as the West of Ireland, especially near the coast. Apart from a 

 tendency to assemble in flocks at times during the winter, this species appears to 

 be stationary throughout its range. [F. c. B. J.] 



4. Nest and Eggs. Nesting place: formerly often in high trees in open 

 country, but now chiefly on sea cliffs or crags, and rarely in ruins. Nest : chiefly 



1 See Explanation, p. xvii. 



1 In the case of the Nest and Eggs, Mr. Jourdain is responsible for the description of the 

 nests, sites, and eggs, Mr. Kirkman for the remainder. 



