FASSERIXJD. 203 



The Oxyryxchus, Tein., 

 lias fi conical and very sliarp bill, [not tliiLk, and] bliorrcr than the liead. 



Tilt* only known spac^GS {O.v.Jlammicepa, T<-m.), has a partly red crest, like many Tyrants. [The afRnities of 

 this bird are most puzzlin),^. It obviously belongs to the distinct division Passcrina; and therefore has no parti- 

 cular relationship with the WoiKlpe^-kers, ronti;j:iious to which it is arrani^^ed by some. Colour, green above, 

 whitish and sjjotted like a Thrush on the breast. Inhabits Brazil.] 



The Fitpits, Buff. {Dacnis, Cuv.") — 

 Represent tlic Baltimores on a diminutive scale, having the beak conical and sharp-pointed. 

 [Thc-y consist of some gf the Sylvicoles, p. 191.] 



The Starlings {Stu7'7ius, Lin.) — 

 Differ from the Troopials only by a compressed beak, particularly towards the point, [which is obtuse 

 ami nail-like. 



[There are two In Europe, one 2;enerally diffused, and extendin<:i: eastward to China,— 



The Common Starlin;; {SL vulgaris, Lin.).— At first dull brown, then finely glossed black, with a pale tip to each 

 feather, impartin;^ a pretty speckled appearance; the clothing feathers are successively more elongated and 

 pointed for several moults, and most of their pale terminal specks finally disappear altogether, the bill also 

 becoming rich yellow. It is easily tauied and taught to speak*, and very social in its habits, flying in large 

 Jlocks : flesh bad-tasted. The other species {Sf, iiTiicolor) has still lon^rer pointed clothing feathers, and never 

 any whiti^ih spots ; inhabits the south of Europe, and particularly Sardinia.] 



We can perceive no characters of sufficient importance to sanction the separation, frotn the 

 Conirostres, of the genera belonging to the family of Cro\vs, which have precisely the same 

 internal structure, as avcII as the same external organs, being distinguished only by a much 

 greater size, which allows some of them to pursue other bu'ds; their strong beak is often 

 laterally compressed. 



The genera are three in number, viz., the Crows, Birds of Paradise, and the Rollers [which 

 last alone do not possess the distinctive characters of the Passeriu(T]. 



The Crows {Coroits, Lin.) — 

 Have a strong beak, more or less compressed, and the nostrils covered with stiff incumbent bristles 

 directed forwai'ds. They are sagacious birds, and their sense of smclhng is very acute ; they have 

 generally the habit of purloining articles that are quite useless to them, as pieces of money, &c. 



We apply the name of Crow, or Raven, more particularly to certain large species, which have the 

 stoutest beaks of any, and the ridge of the upper mandible most arcuated. Then- tail is round or 

 square. ' 



The Raven (C. corax, Lin.), is the largest Passerine bird found in Europe, equalling a fowl in size. Its plumage 

 is wholly black, the tail rounded; ridge of the upper mandible arched anteriorly. Its habits are more retiring 

 than those of its congeners, [except where it is quite unmolested] ; flight, vigorous and lofty ; scents carrion at the 

 distance of a league; and also feeds on fniit and upon smaU animals, even carrying ofl" poultry ; it nestles on lofty 

 trees or in steep precipices, is easily tamed, and readily learns to speak. This bird appears to be found in all 

 parts of the world, [a fallacious opinion, very generally received : few travellers that have seen a large black spe- 

 cies of Cornis have troubled themselves to ascertain that it was the Raven ; and collectors have generally neglected 

 to procure a bird, which they supposed was not uncommon at home ; the truth being, thar there are as many as 

 six or seven species confounded under the name, several of which are readily distinguishable upon actual com- 

 parison. The similitude of the common Crow and Rook of Europe should have rendered naturalists cautious in 

 identifying the species of this genus]. 



The Corby Crow {€. corone, Lin.). — A fourth less than the Haven, with a square tail, and beak less arcuated. 



The Rook {C. frugilegus, Lui.).— Smaller still, \^ith a [comparatively] straight beak, more pointed than that of 

 the last. Excepting when young, the head is bare of feathers as far back as the eyes, whicli the bird probably 

 wears otTin digging up the grubs on which it feeds. 



These two species ii\'e in great flocks, nestling even in society ; [certainly, however, not the first of them]. Tliey 

 devour grain as well as insects. Are found throughout Europe; remaining in the winter, however, only in the 

 mihler districts. [The Corby Crow is much more carnivorous than the Rook, and very destructive to eggs and 

 yo^nggame: we have known it attempt to fly off with a young Turkey nearly as big as itself: it is very seldom 

 that the Rook attacks other birds, but we have known a party of this species to destroy a brood of Missel Thrushes 

 that had recently left the nest.] 



* Wc iiav-c known a Starlinj; to IcarD tlie sonjof the Nightin^nJc, and warble it to perfectioD. 



