60 



CORVID^E. 



In the family of the Crows, the males are larger than 

 the females. The male in this species measures almost 

 seventeen inches in length. The beak from the projecting 

 feathers to the point one inch and seven-eighths : from the 

 carpal joint of the wing to the end of the longest quill- 

 feather eleven inches and three-quarters ; the first feather 

 full three inches shorter than the second, and this an inch 

 shorter than the third ; the fourth a little longer than the 

 third, and the longest in the wing. 



The female of this species, obligingly sent me from 

 Tyneham, in the Isle of Purbeck, by Mr. Thomas Bond, 

 measured fourteen inches and a half in length ; the beak 

 one inch and a half from the projecting feathers to the 

 point ; the wing from the carpal joint to the end nine 

 inches and three-quarters ; the quill-feathers of the wing 

 not so decidedly black as those of the male ; beak, legs, 

 and toes, vermilion red ; claws black. 



Young birds of the year have but little purple gloss on 

 their plumage ; legs, orange red. 



m 



