PASSERES — CORVIDiE — CORVUS. 135 



THE FISH CROW. 



 , CoRVUS OSSIFRAGTJS. 



Corvus ossifragua. Wilson, Am. Orn. Vol. 5, p. 27, pi. 37, fig. 2. Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 57. 

 Nuttall, Man. Orn. Vol. 1, p. 216. Aod. fol. pi. 145 ; B. of A. Vol. 4, p. 94, pi. 226. 



Characteristics. Glossy black, with violet reflections. Chin naked. Tail slightly rounded, 

 reaching more than an inch beyond the wings : fourth primary longest ; 

 the first much shorter than the ninth. Length, 16 inches. 



Description. Upper mandible notched near the tip ; the edges of both turned inwards 

 about the middle. Eyes small ; the recumbent bristly feathers large and long. Ear-feathers 

 prominent. Claws black, sharp and long ; the hind one largest. 



Color. Bill, legs and claws jet black. Female, dull brownish black beneath. Irides dark 

 hazel. 



Length, 15-0-16-0. Alar spread, 30-0-33-0. 



This is a rare bird in our State, although they are said to breed along the seacoast of New- 

 Jersey. They are occasionally seen on the shores of Long island, but are usually confounded 

 with the Common Crow. It is a southern species along the Atlantic, but appears on the 

 Pacific as far as Columbia river. 



(EXTRA-LIM1TAL.) 



Genus Nucifraga, Brisson. Bill long, stout, conical, compressed, slightly depressed at the tip ; the 

 edges sharp and overlapping, without notch. Nostrils basal, rounded, covered with bristly 

 feathers. No bristles at the base of the upper mandible. Wings long, rounded. The first 

 quill very short ; the fourth longest. Tail moderate, rounded. 

 N. columbiana. (Aud. B. of A. Vol. 4, pi. 235.) Brownish grey. Wings and two middle tail- 

 feathers shining bluish black : secondaries white at tip ; outer tail-feathers white. Length, 13 inches. 

 Oregon Territory. 



