XViil INTRODUCTION. 
pointed and elongated, forminga crest. Wings as in Sturnzs. Tail moderate, 
the feathers mostly rounded at the tips. Tarsus scutellated in front, covered 
at the sides by an indistinctly divided plate, forming a sharp ridge behind ; 
claws rather more curved than in S¢zrzzs (p. 229). 
Family CORVID. 
Pyrruocorax, Zumstall.—Beak slender, compressed, arched and pointed. 
Nostrils basal, hidden by small, closely-set feathers. Wings long and 
graduated ; the first primary much shorter than the second, and about half as 
long as the third, the fourth the longest. Tail nearly even. Tarsus longer 
than the middle toe, to which the outer toe is united as far as its first joint ; 
claws strong and much curved (p. 231). 
NuciFrraGa, Brisson.—Beak about as long as the head, hard, stout and straight, 
dilated at the base ; both mandibles terminating obtusely. Nostrils basal, 
round, hidden by stiff feathers directed forwards. Feathers of the crown 
short. Wings graduated, the fifth primary being the longest. Tail slightly 
rounded. Tarsus longer than the middle toe, to which the outer toe is 
united at the base (p. 233). 
Garrutus, Brésson.—Beak shorter than the head, hard, stout and compressed, 
straight at the base, sharp at the edges, commissure straight. Nostrils basal, 
hidden by stiff feathers directed forwards. Feathers of the crown long and 
erectile. Wings moderate, rounded; the first primary short and not 
attenuated, the fourth, fifth and sixth nearly equal, and one of them the 
longest in the wing. Tail moderately long and rounded. Nostrils, tarsi 
and toes much as in Muczfraga (p. 235). 
Pica, Brésson.—Beak stout and compressed, straight at the base, arched towards 
the point, and slightly notched near the tip of the upper mandible. Nostrils 
as in Nuctfraga. Wings short and rounded ; the first primary attenuated 
for two-thirds of its length and very short, the fourth or fifth the longest. 
Tail very long and graduated. Tarsus longer than the middle toe, to which 
the outer toe is united as far as its first joint (p. 237). 
Corvus, Lzzze@us.—Beak more or less stout, compressed, straight at the base, 
arched towards the point and sharp at the edges. Nostrils basal, generally 
hidden by stiff feathers directed forwards. Wings long and graduated; the 
first primary much shorter than the second, the fourth the longest. Tail 
more or less graduated. Tarsus longer than the middle toe, to which the 
outer toe is united as far as its first joint (p. 239). 
Family ALAUDIDA. 
Tarsus scutellated behind as well as before. 
Aaupa, Linneus.—Bill moderate to stout, slightly compressed at the edges ; 
upper mandible more or less arched from the middle and without notch. 
Nostrils basal, oval, covered by bristly feathers directed forward. Gape 
straight. Wings long: the first primary usually short but sometimes well 
developed ; second, third and fourth nearly equal, but the third generally 
the longest. Tail moderate and slightly forked. Tarsus longer than the 
middle toe ; claws slightly curved and moderate, except that of the hind toe, 
which is often elongated and nearly straight (p. 249). 
