132 NEW-YORK FAUNA — BIRDS. 



This species is very rare in this State, and has never been seen except in the western 

 district near Niagara. The eggs are pale blue or green, freckled with reddish. It feeds on 

 worms, grubs, young birds, eggs and carrion. It has been noticed in Texas, Louisiana, 

 Arkansas, Missouri, and the high northern latitudes to the 58th parallel. Some ornithologists 

 have considered it aS distinct from the common Magpie of Europe ; but upon carefully com- 

 paring the two, I can find no greater differences than may be found among two individuals of 

 any other species. 



(EXTRA-LIMITAL.) 



P. tmttalli. (Aud. B. of A. Vol. 4, pi. 228.) Black, tinged with brown ; head green ; tail green. 

 Bill and space beneath the eyes yellow. Length, 18 inches. California. 



GENUS CORVUS. Linnaeus. 



Bill thick, straight at the base, curved at the tip, and compressed and edged at the sides ; the 

 lower mandible shortest. Nostrils basal, lateral, rounded, covered by advancing hair-like 

 feathers. Claws strong, arched, compressed, acute. Wings long, acute ; the first quill 

 short, the fourth longest. Tail moderate, rounded. 



THE COMMON CROW. 



CoRVTJS AMERICANTJS. 



PLATE XXIV. FIG. 52. 



Carrion Crow. Pennant, Arct. Zool. Vol. 2, p. 246. 



Corvus corone. Wilson, Am. Orn. Vol. 4, p. 79, pi. 36, fig. 3. Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. Vol. 2, p. 56. Ncttall, 



Man. Orn. Vol. 1, p. 209. 

 C. americanus. Audubon, folio, pi. 156 ; Birds of A. Vol. 4, p. 87, pi. 225. Peabody, Birds of Mass. p. 287. 

 Giraud, Birds of Long island, p. 151. 



Characteristics. Black and glossy, with violet reflections. Tail slightly rounded, extending 

 but little beyond the wings. Tail-feathers somewhat acute. Length, 

 17 inches. 



Description. There is so much uniformity in the characters of this species, that its 

 description is almost entirely comprised in the characteristic phrase. We may add, how- 

 ever, that the undersides of the wings and tail are brownish black. Young and female dull 

 brownish black, with the reflections of the plumage less brilliant. Irides hazel. Variegated 

 or black and white crows are occasionally seen. 



Length, 16-0-17-5. Spread, 35-0-37-0. 



