CROW TRIBE ; RAVEN, CROW, ROOK, ETC. 



437 



arched, and of great strength ; and they chiefly live upon the 

 ground, searching for carrion, worms, slugs, the larvae of insects, 

 &c., which they are of very great service in removing ; but, 

 when animal food is not to be had, they will devour grain. To 



FIG. 238. HEAD OF RAVEN. 



this group belong the Raven, the Carrion and Hooded Crows, 

 the Rook, the Jackdaw, and the Magpie, among British Birds ; 

 of these the first is the largest and most powerful, and is at the 

 same time the most sagacious and courageous, evincing little dread 

 of other animals, and even of the larger Birds of Prey. It not 

 only feeds upon carrion and grain, but will also attack young 

 lambs, poultry, &c. In its general habits it is not unlike the 

 Eagle ; for it resorts to the inaccessible ledges of rocks, tall trees, 

 &c., to construct its nest, and, except when domesticated, it 

 shuns the proximity of .Man. The Jays have a shorter bill, 

 which terminates rather abruptly ; they usually live in the forests 

 of various parts of the world, and feed upon fruits as well as 

 upon worms and grubs. The Choughs have a longer and more 

 slender bill than most of the family ; and in some respects lead 

 us towards the Starlings. They nestle in rocks and towers, and 

 are shy and vigilant. There is only one species of Chough in 



