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VEETEBRATA. 
THN FLUTE-PLAYING CASSICAN. THE HOODED-CROW OP EUROPE. 
THE COEYID^ OK CROWS. 
TMs family includes not only the typical crows, but a number of other groups, as the Piping- 
Crows^ the Jays, the Tree-Crows, the Magpies, Choughs, Jackdatvs, and Paradise Birds. These 
are all omnivorous, feeding on fruits and animal substances of various kinds. 
THE STREPERINJi; OR PIPING-CROWS. 
These birds — the Cassicans of some authors ; the Baritas of Cuvier — belong to Australia and 
the adjacent islands : they are distinguished from the other Corvidse by the form of the nostrils, 
each of which consists of a long, narrow slit in the substance of the bill, and is usually completely 
exposed. The bill itself is long and compressed, broad at the base, where the ridge projects upon 
the forehead, and the tip is more or less notched. They are restless, noisy, and omnivorous like 
other crows, but, unlike them, they have some musical notes. One species, the Flute-playing 
Cassican, Gymnorhina iibicen, is of a grayish-brown color, and is very voracious, even devouring 
small birds. The Wakening Cassican, Coracias strep)era of Latham, is found in ISTorfolk Island; 
it never sleeps at night, but keeps the country round awake by its sonorous cries. 
THE GARRULIN^ OR JAYS. 
Gfenus GARE.TJLTJS : Garrulus. — This includes the Common Jay of Europe — the Gaza 
Verla of the Italians, the Geai of the French, and Holz-Hdher of the Germans — G. glandarius. 
It is a very beautiful bird, sixteen inches long, of a light reddish-brown color, with the primary 
wing-coverts bright blue, elegantly banded with black. The feathers of the fore part of the 
head are whitish, spotted with black, and elongated so as to form a crest, which the bird can 
erect at pleasure ; the quill-feathers of the wings and tail, and a streak on each side of the chin, 
are black. It is common throughout Europe ; inhabits thick woods, and is shy in its habits. It 
feeds to a great extent upon vegetable matters, such as acorns and beech-mast, and in summer 
often visits gardens, tempted by the cultivated fruits. It also feeds on insects and worms. Its 
nest is formed in tall bushes, or in the lower branches of trees ; but always well concealed among 
