2IO CASSELLS BOOK OF BIRDS. 



RAVENS {Coracirostres). 



We are now about to introduce our readers to a race of Birds, so nearly related to the Passcres, tnat 

 many naturalists have regarded them as constituting a subdivision of that order. We, on the contrary, 

 following our intention of rendering our classification as simple as possible, have thought it best to 

 assign them an entirely separate place, principally in consideration of the unmistakable peculiarity 

 of their plumage. 



The order CORACIROSTRES, according to this view, comprises a large number of species, 

 varying in size from a Raven to a Finch, but all presenting the same characteristic structure : all 

 have elongated yet powerful bodies, large heads, short necks, and wings of moderate size, or slightly 

 lengthened, pointed or rounded at the tip. The tail is formed of twelve feathers, and is very various 

 in its shape and size ; the feet are strong, the toes short, armed with stout claws, and the tarsi covered 

 with scaly plates ; the beak is long, occasionally equal to or even exceeding the head in length, but 

 sometimes much shorter ; its shape is almost straight, more or less conical, sometimes arched at its 

 roof, the upper mandible being slightly bent towards the point, but not terminated by a hook. The 

 plumage is short in proportion to the size of the bird, and moderately compact and thick. In some 

 cases the ornamentation is very peculiar, individual feathers being much elongated and stripped 

 of their web. Very great diversity is observable in the coloration of these birds : black is generally 

 predominant, but yellow and white are frequently employed, and green, brown, or red occasionally 

 but more rarely intermingled ; these various colours being often harmonised and enriched by a 

 peculiar and splendid metallic brilliancy. The internal structure of this race bears a strong resem- 

 blance to what we have seen in the Passerine Order. The skeleton is powerful, many of its bones 

 being filled with air. The back-bone very constantly consists of twelve cervical, eight dorsal, ten or 

 eleven pelvic, and seven to eight caudal vertebrae. The vocal muscles of the lower larynx are well 

 developed. The gullet does not enlarge into a crop, and the gizzard is never so muscular as in the 

 Passerine birds ; the various senses are very equally developed, and the brain is large. According to 

 some naturalists, the Ravens must be regarded as the most perfectly constructed of the feathered tribe ; 

 and we are not inclined to dispute this opinion : certainly, few birds can compare with them either in 

 capacity or bodily powers, for they run, fly, or climb with equal facility, and possess a remarkably 

 flexible and copious voice ; indeed, some families display such an extremely high degree of develop- 

 ment both as regards their intelligence and strength, as to justify us in saying that they possess the 

 attributes of the Parrots and Falcons combined. In the habits of the smaller species of this order 

 there is much that reminds us of the Finches or Buntings ; but its larger members are distinguished by 

 many peculiarities. They are for the most part dexterous thieves, achieving their object with a 

 boldness and cunning that is truly surprising, frequently stealing, as it were, for the mere pleasure 

 afforded them by the act, rather than from any necessity for the object purloined. All parts of the 

 world are inhabited by various tribes of this extensive division ; some of them may perhaps be 

 regarded as for the most part frequenting woodland districts ; others are equally at home upon 

 mountain ranges or lowlands, the sea-coast, or barren plains ; and they are constantly met with either in 

 the solitary desert, or dwelling in the immediate vicinity of man. Southern countries, however, afford 

 the most congenial home to these birds, which, though appearing in all latitudes, are more numerous 

 in the warmer portions of the earth than in the north. They live everywhere unmolested by man, 



