132 AVES. 



and do great injury to cultivated grounds. They are now divided into 

 Cassictts proper, Icterus, &c. Among the latter we distinguish a species 

 with a somewhat shorter beak, the 



Icterut pccoris, Tern. (The Cow Bunting.) A violet black; head and 

 neck a brown grey. Lives in flocks among cattle ; but the most peculiar trait 

 in its habits is that, like the Cuckoo, it lays its eggs in other birds' nests. 



STUHNUS, Linnaeus. 



The Starlings have a beak that is depressed, especially near the point. 



We can find no sufficient character to enable us to distinguish from the 

 Conirostres, with certainty and precision, the different genera of the family of 

 the Crows, all of which have a similar internal structure and external organs, 

 only differing in a (generally) greater size, which sometimes enables them to 

 hunt small birds: their strong beak is most commonly compressed on the 

 sides. 



These genera are three in number, the Crows, Birds of Paradise, and the 

 Rollers. 



CORVUS, Linnaeus. 



The Crows have a strong beak, more or less laterally flattened, nostrils 

 covered with stiff feathers, which incline forwards, 

 they are very cunning, their sense of smell is ex- 

 tremely acute, and they have, generally, a habit of 

 purloining articles totally useless to them, such as 

 pieces of money, &c. and even of hiding them. 

 We more particularly call CROWS or RAVENS, the large species whose beaks 

 are the strongest in proportion, and in which the ridge of the upper mandible 

 is the most arcuated. Their tail is either round or square. 



C. corax, Lin. (The Raven.) Is the largest of the Passerine which inhabit 

 Europe. Its size is equal to that of the Cock. Its plumage is entirely black, 

 the tail is rounded, and the back of the upper mandible arcuated near the 

 point. It is a more solitary bird than the other species, flies well and high, 

 scents carrion at the distance of a league, and feeds also on fruit and small 

 animals. It sometimes carries off poultry, builds on the tops of high trees or 

 rocky cliffs, is easily tamed, and may be taught to speak tolerably well. It 

 appears to be found in every part of the globe. 



C. corone, Lin. (The Crow.) A fourth smaller than the Raven ; the tail 

 more square, and the beak less arcuated above. 



C.frugilegus, Lin. (The Rook.) Still smaller than the preceding, with a 

 straighter and more pointed beak. The circumference of the base of the 

 latter, except when very young, is divested of feathers, which is probably 

 occasioned by its habit of thrusting it into the ground in search of food. 

 The Jackdaw is also a Corvus. 



PICA, Cuvier. 



The pies are rather smaller than the crows. The upper mandible is more 

 arcuated than the other, and the tail long and cuneiform. 



