106. 
CORVIDA — CORVINZE: CROWS. 415 
probably requiring reduction by at least one-third, in both cases. The Corvide have been 
divided into five 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 cosmopolitan. 
These are the Corving and Garruline, or crows and jays, readily distinguishable, at least so 
far as our forms are concerned, by the longer pointed wings and shorter less rounded tail of the 
former as contrasted with the shorter rounded wings and longer more rounded or graduated tail 
of the latter. 
26. Subfamily CORVINZE: Crows. 
With the wings long and pvinted, much exceeding the 
tail; the tip formed by the 3d, 4th, and 5th quills; 2d 
much shorter, lst only about 4 as long as 3d. The 
legs stout, fitted for walking as well as perching. As 
a rule, the plumage is sombre or at least unvariegated, 
—pblue, the characteristic color of the jays, being here 
rare. The sexes are alike, and the changes of plumage 
slight. Although technically oscine, corvine 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 easily on the ground, where jays hop. They are among the most 
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, but 
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.” 
Fig. 267. — Typical Corvine bill. 
Our three genera of Corvine are readily known by the black color of Corvus, the gray, 
white, and black of Picicorvus, and the blue of Gymnocitta. In the latter, as in Psilorhinus 
of Garruline, the nostrils are exposed, contrary to the rule in each subfamily. 
COR'VUS. (Lat. corvus, a crow. Fig. 267.) Ravens. 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 and 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 bases of cervical feathers pure white (Southwestern) pe tehas eryptoleucus 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 3; tarsus about equal to the middle toe 
and claw, longer than bill; 1st quill not longer than 10th i F . . frugivorus 340, 341 
Small. Length 14-16; wing 10-11; tail 6-7; bill 13-2; tarsusrather Touiger than bill or middle toe and 
claw ; 1st quill loner than 10th. (Northwestern) A . caurinus 34% 
Small; 14-16 inches long; wing 10-11 ; tail 6-7; tarsus shorter than middle ine and claw, longer than 
bill; 1st quill not longer thani10th . ........... eee 8 . meritimus 3843 
