196 
YEETEBKATA. 
THE GREAT CRESTED JAY. (See p. 195.) 
of which is more or less curved; the wings are long, and very slightly rounded, the tail variable 
io form, the tarsi long, and covered with transverse scales, and the two lateral toes are equal. 
Some of this species are undoubtedly the most intelligent of the feathered races. 
Genus CORYUS : Corvus. — At the head of this stands the Raven, C. corax, among the most 
remarkable of the feathered races. It is two feet long; its color black, tinged with violet. Like 
all the corvine birds, it has a high, round, knife-shaped beak, provided with bristles at the base, 
which incline forward. It is common to the northern parts of both continents ; builds in wooded 
districts ; lays from three to five eggs of a soiled-green color, spotted with olive-brown. Its food 
consists of dead animal matter, even carrion, with Avorms, grubs, reptiles, birds' eggs, fish, and 
shell-fish. It is also charged with carrying off 3^oung ducks and chickens from the farms that 
chance to be near its haunts. It is exceedingly intelligent, and can be taught to articulate words ; 
it lives to a great age, a hundred years or more it is said, and from early periods of history has 
been connected with various popular superstitions. In the Bible we are told that at the end of 
forty days, after the great flood had covered the earth, Noah, wishing to ascertain whether or no 
the waters had abated, sent forth a raven, which did not return into the ark. This is the first 
historical notice of this species. Though the raven was declared unclean by the law of Moses, 
