140 AVES. 



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. 



COEVUS, Lin. 



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 extremely 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 CHOWS or RAVESTS, 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, L. (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 eveiy part of the globe. 



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

 more square, and the beak less arcuated above. 



C. frugilegus, L. (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, Cuv. 



The upper mandible is more arcuated than the other, and the tail long 

 and cuneiform. 



Corvus pica, L. (The Magpie of Europe.) A beautiful bird, of a silky 

 black colour, with purple, blue, and gold reflections; the belly is white, and 

 there is a large spot of the same colour on the wing. Its eternal chattering 

 has rendered it notorious. 



GARRULUS, Cuv. 



The two mandibles of the Jays are but little elongated, terminating in a 

 sudden, and nearly equal curve; when the tail is cuneiform, it is not very 

 long, and the loose and slender feathers of the forehead stand more or less 

 erect when the bird is angry. 



