COBVID^ — COBVINJS : CROWS. 415 



probably requiring reduction by at least oue-third, in both cases. The Corvidis have been 

 divided into tive subfamilies ; three of these are small and apparently specialized groups con- 

 fined to the Old World, where they are represented most largely in the Australian and Indian 

 regions ; the other two, constituting the great bulk of the family, are more nearly cosmopolitau. 

 These are the Corvincn and Garrulina, or crows and jays, readily distinguishable, at least so 

 far as our forms are concerned, by tlie longer poiuted wings and shorter less rounded tail of tlic 

 former as contrasted with the shorter rounded wings and longer more rounded or graduated tail 

 of the latter. 



26. Subfamily CORVIN/E : Crows. 



With the wings long aud pi anted, much exceeding the 



tail ; the tip formed by the 3d, 4th, and 5th quills ; 2d 



much shorter, 1st only about -J- as long as 3d. The 



legs stout, fitted for walking as well as perching. As 



^y. a rule, the plumage is sombre or at least un variegated, 



— blue, the characteristic color of the jays, being here 



~ ■ rare. The sexes are alike, and the changes of plumage 



]?lo. L;ii7. —Typical Corvine bill. ,■ i ^ »iii 1^111 • ■ 1 • 1 



slight. Although technically oscme, cijrvme birds are 



highly unmusical; the voice of the larger kinds is raucous, that of the smaller strident, — witness 

 the croak of the raven, the "caw " of the crow, the screaming of jays. They frequent all situ- 

 ations, and walk firmly and easUy on the ground, where jays hop. They are among the mcjst 

 nearly omnivorous of birds, and as a consequence, in connection with their hardy nature, they 

 are rarely if ever truly migratory. Their nesting is various, according to circumstances, liut 

 the fabric is usually rude and bulky ; the eggs, of the average oscine number, are commonly 

 bluish or greenish, speckled. Although not properly gregarious, as a rule, they often associate 

 in large numbers, drawn together by community of interest. In illustration of this may be 

 instanced the extensive roosting-places in the Atlantic States, comparable to the rookeries of 

 Europe, whither immense troops of crows resort nightly, often from great distances, recalling 

 the fine line of the poet, — 



" The blackening trains of crows to their repose.*' 



Our three genera of Corvina are readily known by the black color of Corvus, the gray, 

 white, and black of Pidcorvus, aud the blue of Gymnocitta. In the latter, as in Psilorhinus 

 of Garrnlince, the nostrUs are exposed, contrary to the rule in each subfamily. 

 COR'VUS. (Lat. corvus, a crow. Fig. 267.) Eavens. Crows. The species throughout 

 uniform lustrous black, including the bill and feet ; nasal bristles about half as long as the bill, 

 which exhibits the typical cultrirostral style. Nostrils large, but entirely concealed. Wings 

 much longer than tail, folding about to its end. Several outer primaries sinuate-attenuate on 

 inner webs. Tail rounded, with broad feathers, sinuate-truncate at ends, with mucronate shafts. 

 Feet stout ; tarsus more or less nearly equal to middle toe aud claw, roughly scutellate in front, 

 laminar behind, with a set of small plates between. 



Analysis of Species. 



Ravens, with the throat-feathers acute, lengthened, disconnected. 



About 2 feet long; wing 16-18 inches; tail about 10, Bases of cervical feathers gray .... corax 338 



Smaller; concealed Sases of cervical feathers pure white (Southwestern) cryptoleucus 339 



Crows, with the throat-feathers oval and blended. 



Length 18-20 ; wing 12-14 ; tail 7-8 ; bill 13-2, its height at base | ; tarsus about equal to the middle toe 



and claw, longer than bill ; Ist quill not longer than 10th frugivorus 340, 341 



Small. Length 14-16 ; wing 10-11 ; tail 6-7 ; bill 15-2 ; tarsus rather longer than bill or middle toe and 



claw ; Ist quill longer than 10th. (Northwestern) caurinus 342 



Small ; 14-16 inches long ; wing 10-11 ; tail 6-7; tarsus shorter than middle toe and claw, longer than 

 bill; 1st quill not longer than 10th maritimus 343 



