CORVINE. CORVUS. 
103 
and width, the dorsal line slightly convex, ascending toward 
the end, the tip rather acute ; gape-line straightish. Mouth 
of moderate width ; upper mandible internally concave, with 
seven ridges ; tongue oblong, emarginate and papillate at 
the base, flat above, horny, with the tip slit and slightly 
fimbriated ; oesophagus wide, nearly uniform ; stomach ob- 
long, compressed, with the muscular coat thick, the epithe- 
lium dense, with a few deep longitudinal grooves ; intestine 
of moderate length and width, with the coeca very small and 
cylindrical ; rectum with a globular dilatation. Nostrils 
roundish, in the fore part of the short nasal sinus, concealed 
by the narrow reversed stiff feathers, which cover a large 
portion of the bill. Eyes of moderate size ; eyelids feathered. 
Aperture of ear roundish, moderate. Head large, oblong, 
rather convex above ; neck rather short ; body ovate, com- 
pact. Legs of moderate length, strong ; tarsi rather short, 
compressed behind, anteriorly with eight scutella, posteriorly 
with two longitudinal plates ; toes of moderate size, the 
outer adherent to the second joint ; the first comparatively 
large, the lateral equal, the third considerably longer, all 
with large scutella ; claws strong, arched, compressed, rather 
sharp, the first with an obscure groove on the sides. Plu- 
mage generally dense, but soft, and highly glossed ; feathers 
at the base of the upper mandible linear, stiff, and reversed ; 
basirostral decurved bristles ; wings long, much rounded, 
the first quiU very short and narrow, the fourth generally 
longest ; tail of moderate length or long, rounded, of twelve 
broad rounded feathers. 
Five permanently resident species occur in Britain, and a 
single individual of another has been seen in one of the 
Hebrides. They are for the most part omnivorous in the 
fullest sense, although each species differs greatly in many 
of its habits. They search for food in open places, walk in 
a sedate manner, have a moderately rapid flight, nestle in 
trees, towers, buildings of various kinds, or rocks, producing 
from three to nine eggs, which are deposited very early in 
the season. Their cries vary from a hoarse croak to a caw 
or chatter, but are considerably varied. They are easily 
tamed, and may be taught to imitate the human voice. 
