COIIYIN^E. 
101 
ries narrowed toward the end, and separated when the 
wing is expanded ; the first very short, the fourth and 
fifth longest. 
Birds of this order are found in all parts of the globe. 
They are frequently gregarious ; those which feed chiefly 
on larvae, worms, or seeds, are always so. Most of the 
larger species are omnivorous. They walk with ease, leap 
under excitement, or even run with considerable speed. 
Their flight is strong, generally performed by regularly 
timed beats. They nestle and rest in high places, some- 
times, however, in holes, even in the ground. The nest 
of the larger species is rudely, of the smaller neatly, 
constructed. The eggs, from three to ten in number, are 
spotted, and the young, at first blind and thinly covered 
with down, remain until fledged. 
FAMILY XII. CORVINE. CORVINE BIRDS 
OR CROWS. 
Body ovate, compact, moderately stout ; neck short or 
moderate ; head large, oval, rather flattened above. Bill 
about the length of the head, stout, nearly straight, com- 
pressed toward the end ; upper mandible with the dorsal 
line arcuato-declinate, the ridge convex, the edges sharp, 
with a slight notch or sinus close to the end, the tip 
slightly deflected. Palate anteriorly with several longi- 
tudinal ridges ; tongue oblong, emarginate and papillate 
at the base, flat above, horny and thin-edged toward the 
tip, which is slit and lacerated ; throat of moderate width ; 
CEsophagus of nearly uniform width ; proventriculus bul- 
biform ; stomach a gizzard of moderate power, elliptical, 
with the lateral muscles somewhat distinct, the cuticular 
lining of moderate thickness, and longitudinally rugous ; 
intestine of moderate length ; coeca small, cylindrical, ad- 
nate ; rectum with an oblong or globular dilatation. Eyes 
