CORVINE. CORVUS. 103 



and width, the dorsal line slightly convex, ascending toward 

 the end, the tip rather acute ; gape-line straightish. Mouth 

 of moderate width ; upper mandible internally concave, with 

 seven ridges ; tongue oblong, emarginate and papillate at 

 the base, flat above, horny, with the tip slit and slightly 

 fimbriated ; oesophagus wide, nearly uniform ; stomach ob- 

 long, compressed, with the muscular coat thick, the epithe- 

 lium dense, with a few deep longitudinal grooves ; intestine 

 of moderate length and width, with the coaca very small and 

 cylindrical ; rectum with a globular dilatation. Nostrils 

 roundish, in the fore part of the short nasal sinus, concealed 

 by the narrow reversed stiff feathers, which cover a large 

 portion of the bill. Eyes of moderate size ; eyelids feathered. 

 Aperture of ear roundish, moderate. Head large, oblong, 

 rather convex above ; neck rather short ; body ovate, com- 

 pact. Legs of moderate length, strong ; tarsi rather short, 

 compressed behind, anteriorly with eight scutella, posteriorly 

 with two longitudinal plates ; toes of moderate size, the 

 outer adherent to the second joint ; the first comparatively 

 large, the lateral equal, the third considerably longer, all 

 with large scutella ; claws strong, arched, compressed, rather 

 sharp, the first with an obscure groove on the sides. Plu- 

 mage generally dense, but soft, and highly glossed ; feathers 

 at the base of the upper mandible linear, stiff, and reversed ; 

 basirostral decurved bristles ; wings long, much rounded, 

 the first quill very short and narrow, the fourth generally 

 longest ; tail of moderate length or long, rounded, of twelve 

 broad rounded feathers. 



Five permanently resident species occur in Britain, and a 

 single individual of another has been seen in one of the 

 Hebrides. They are for the most part omnivorous in the 

 fullest sense, although each species differs greatly in many 

 of its habits. They search for food in open places, walk in 

 a sedate manner, have a moderately rapid flight, nestle in 

 trees, towers, buildings of various kinds, or rocks, producing 

 from three to nine eggs, which are deposited very early in 

 the season. Their cries vary from a hoarse croak to a caw 

 or chatter, but are considerably varied. They are easily 

 tamed, and may be taught to imitate the human voice. 



