102 CORViN^E. CORVUS. 



of moderate size, eyelids feathered. Nostrils moderate, 

 broadly elliptical, in the fore part of the broad nasal 

 sinus, and covered by reversed bristly feathers. Aper- 

 ture of ear round and rather large. Feet of moderate 

 length, stout ; tarsus compressed with eight or ten scu- 

 tella, and two posterior longitudinal plates ; toes mode- 

 rate, scutellate above, padded and granulate beneath ; the 

 third and fourth united at the base, the hind toe stronger, 

 but about the same length as the second and fourth ; claws 

 rather large, arched, compressed, obscurely grooved, acute. 

 Plumage rather full, on the upper parts compact ; wings 

 long or moderate, much rounded, the first quill about half 

 the length of the fourth or fifth, which are longest ; tail 

 moderate or elongated, of twelve broad feathers. 



The Corvinee feed on worms, insects, fruits, flesh, fish, 

 and other substances, the stomach being muscular, and 

 with the aid of gravel or particles of quartz, capable of 

 triturating the harder matters. They are cautious and 

 vigilant ; walk sedately, fly with considerable speed ; and 

 wander to great distances in search of food. They form 

 a bulky, generally rather flat nest, composed of sticks, 

 and lined with soft materials. The eggs, from three to 

 seven, are spotted or freckled, and of an oblong form. 

 The young when fledged are coloured like the adults, but 

 with less gloss. The males and females are alike, the 

 latter somewhat smaller. Species of this family occur in 

 all countries. 



GENUS XXVIII. CORVUS. CROW. 



Bill rather long, straight, stout, tapering, of nearly equal 

 height and breadth at the base, compressed toward the end ; 

 upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly arched, and 

 toward the end declinate, the ridge rather narrow, the edges 

 direct, sharp, with a slight notch or sinus close to the tip, 

 which is somewhat declinate, rather sharp, and projects a 

 little ; lower mandible with the angle of moderate length 



