CARRION CROW. 85 



spring to autumn, and the plains from autumn through the 

 winter to spring. It is very rare in Sicily, but according 

 to M. Temminck it is found in the Morea. A Russian 

 Naturalist, whose name has been already quoted, has in- 

 cluded it as inhabiting the country south of the Caucasian 

 range, between the black and the Caspian Seas. M. Tem- 

 minck says it is also found in Japan. 



The beak of this bird is black, the nostrils and basal 

 third covered by feathers directed forwards; irides dark 

 brown ; the whole of the plumage entirely black, like that 

 of the Raven ; the upper parts reflecting tints of violet and 

 green in particular lights; the tail shorter in proportion 

 than that of the Raven ; the tail-feathers broad ; the form 

 of the tail nearly square, the outer feathers on each side 

 being but a little shorter than those in the centre. The 

 legs, toes, and claws, strong, and of a shining black. 



The whole length of the bird described is eighteen inches 

 and a half. From the carpal joint to the end of the wing 

 thirteen inches and a half: the first feather three inches 

 shorter than the second ; the second one inch shorter than 

 the third; the third and fourth nearly equal, and the 

 longest in the wing. 



Females, and the young birds of the year before their 

 first moult, have less metallic lustre on the upper surface 

 of their plumage than adult males. 



