ZOOLOGY. 



119 



an angular prominence ; nostrils oblong, narrow, situ- 

 ated in ths middle of the bill ; tongue slightly cleft ; 

 wings \owg', legs Viwd. feet ^v(\^\\', front toes palraated, 

 hind toe small, distinct. 



This is a very numerous class, in the general outline, their 

 habits resemble those of the Crows, like which, they devour 

 carrion, and the most putrid substances, and in default of 

 this kind of food, they prey on small birds ; several kinds 

 repair to arable ground, where they are of considerable 

 service in destroying worms and grubs, they will likewise 

 devour grain and pulse. They all inhabit the shores of the 

 ocean, but are most abundant in the colder regions. Galls 

 are several years in attaining their full or perfect plumage, 

 and some of the kinds change their colours, on the approach 

 of winter : they easily become tame, and are useful in gar- 

 dens to destroy worms, slugs, and snails ; they soon become 

 familiar, and may be fed with any kinds of olFal. A great 

 variety resort to our shores, see British Ornithology^ 

 vols. I, 2. 



Some birds at present classed with this genus, (but which 

 possess a character sufficiently decided to form a distinct 

 genera upon,) are furnished with a cere at the base of the billj 

 in which the nostrils are situated ; all these are of a fierce 

 and voracious disposition, (approaching to the Falcon tribe,) 

 and often devour the lesser kinds of Gulls, and other 

 birds. These, and the true Gulls, deposit their eggs on 

 heaps of sea weed, placed on shelving rocks, mostly in large 

 communities ; they feed their young with the castings of 

 their stomachs, till able to provide for themselves. 



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