292 BIEDS OF INDIA. 



The Conirostres are divided into the following families : 1st, 

 Corvidce, comprising Crows and Magpies ; 2nd, Sturnidce, the 

 Mynas and Starlings ; 3rd, Friru/illidce, the most numerous of all, 

 comprising Sparrows, Weaver-birds, Amaduvads, Buntings, and 

 Kose Linnets ; 4th, Tanngridce, or the Tanagers ; and lastly the 

 Alaudidce or Larks. All of these are represented in India except 

 the Tanagers, which are confined to America. 



Fam. CoRViDiE. 



Bill strong, more or less compressed, usually entire, rarely 

 notched at the tip ; nostrils thickly clad with stiff incumbent 

 bristles; tarsus stout; feet strong, and claws well curved: of large 

 size mostly. 



This family comprises the Crows, Choughs, Magpies, and Jays. 

 They are of large size compared with others of this tribe, or the 

 Dentirostral perchers. They are the most omnivorous of all birds, 

 and, indeed, with the Starlings and some other birds, not now 

 referred to this tribe, they constitute Temminck's order, 

 Omnivora. They vary a good deal in the length and strength 

 of their bill, length of wing and tail, and also of tarsus. 

 Many feed habitually on the ground, others on trees, and, as 

 Temminck's name signifies, they eat all kinds of food from 

 carrion to grain. 



They are divided into the following sub-families : Corvince, 

 Garrulince, Dendrocittinoe, Fregilince, and Strep evince ; the last 

 only occurring in Australia and Oceanica. 



Sub-fam. CoRViNiE, Crows and Magpies. 



Bill very stout, long, straight, with the ridge more or less 

 curved ; wings long, somewhat pointed ; tail variable ; tarsus stout, 

 strongly scutate ; claws well curved. 



The Crows are birds of large size and robust form, usually 

 black, or pied with grey or white, and are too well known to require 

 any further details. They are undoubtedly the most highly 

 organized and intelligent of birds, they possess the most varied 

 powers, and can live on all kinds of food. They fly well, walk 

 with ease, climb adroitly ; and may be seen eating carrion with the 

 Vultures ; catching winged Termites with Fly-catchers and Bee- 



