ixii* 



THE PIPING CROW. 



BaRITA TlBlCEN. Cuv. 



The genus Cracticus of Vieillot is placed by M. Cuvier, 

 under the name of" Barita, in the family of Shrikes, to 

 some groups of which it must be confessed that it bears 

 a striking analogy. But it is so obviously connected 

 by affinity with the Crows, that we cannot hesitate in 

 adopting the arrangement of Mr. Vigors, which places 

 it in the same family with the latter, and in immediate 

 contact with them. Its essential cliaracters consist in 

 a long hard bill, of considerable strength., convex on its 

 upper surface, slightly hooked at the tip, and having 

 both its mandibles notched towards the extremity; 

 lateral and longitudinal nostrils placed near the base 

 of the bill ; robust legs, with the outer toe attached to 

 the middle one as far as the first joint, and the inner 

 wholly free; an elongated hind toe; and strong curved 

 clav.'s. 



