102 
CORVINE. CORYUS. 
of moderate size, eyelids feathered. Nostrils moderate, 
broadly elliptical, in the fore part of the broad nasal 
sinus, and covered by reversed bristly feathers. Aper- 
ture of ear round and rather large. Feet of moderate 
o 
length, stout ; tarsus compressed with eight or ten scu- 
tella, and two posterior longitudinal plates ; toes mode- 
rate, scutellate above, padded and granulate beneath ; the 
third and fourth united at the base, the hind toe stronger, 
but about the same length as the second and fourth ; claws 
rather large, arched, compressed, obscurely grooved, acute. 
Plumage rather full, on the upper parts compact ; wings 
long or moderate, much rounded, the first quill about half 
the length of the fourth or fifth, which are longest ; tail 
moderate or elongated, of twelve broad feathers. 
The Corvinse feed on worms, insects, fruits, flesh, fish, 
and other substances, the stomach being muscular, and 
with the aid of gravel or particles of quartz, capable of 
triturating the harder matters. They are cautious and 
vigilant ; walk sedately, fly with considerable speed ; and 
wander to great distances in search of food. They form 
a bulky, generally rather flat nest, composed of sticks, 
and lined with soft materials. The eggs, from three to 
seven, are spotted or freckled, and of an oblong form. 
The young when fledged are coloured like the adults, but 
with less gloss. The males and females are alike, the 
latter somewhat smaller. Species of this family occur in 
all countries. 
GENUS XXYIII. CORVUS. CROW. 
Bill rather long, straight, stout, tapering, of nearly equal 
height and breadth at the base, compressed toward the end ; 
upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly arched, and 
toward the end declinate, the ridge rather narrow, the edges 
direct, sharp, with a slight notch or sinus close to the tip, 
which is somewhat declinate, rather sharp, and projects a 
little ; lower mandible with the angle of moderate length 
