1!)(J 



VERTEBIIATA. 



THE GKEAT CRESTED JAY. (See p. 195.) 



of which is more or less curved ; the wings are long, and very slightly rounded, the tail variable 

 ill form, the tarsi long, and covered with transverse scales, and the two lateral toes are equal. 

 Some of this species are undoubtedly the most intelligent of the feathered races. 



Genus CORVUS : Corvus. — At the head of this stands the Raven, C. corax, among the most 

 remarkable of the feathered races. It is two feet long ; its color black, tinged with violet. Like 

 all the corvine birds, it has a high, round, knife-shaped beak, provide<l with bristles at the base, 

 which incline forward. It is common to the northern parts of both contments ; builds in wooded 

 districts; lays from three to five eggs of a soiled-green color,, spotted with olive-brown. Its food, 

 consists of dead animal matter, even carrion, with worms, grubs, reptiles, birds' eggs, fish, and i 

 shell-fish. It is also charged with carrying off young ducks and chickens from the farms thatj 

 chance to be near its haunts. It is exceedingly intelligent, and can be taught to articulate words ; 

 it lives to a great age, a hundred years or more it is said, and from early periods of history has! 

 been connected with various popular superstitions. In the Bible we are told that at the end of 

 forty days, after the great flood had covered the earth, Noah, wishing to ascertain whether or no! 

 the waters had abated, sent forth a raven, which did not return into the ark. This is the first 

 historical notice of this species. Though the raven was declared unclean by the law of Moses, 



