78 
Genus I. — CORVUS, Linn. CROW. 
Bill rather long, stout, considerably compressed ; upper mandible with the 
dorsal line declinate and arched, the sides somewhat convex, the edges nearly 
straight, and overlapping, the notches faint, the tip declinate, rather sharp ; 
lower mandible with the angle rather long, and of moderate width, the 
dorsal line ascending, and slightly convex, the edges direct, the tip narrow. 
Nostrils basal, lateral, round, covered by narrow stiff feathers directed 
forwards. Head large, ovate ; neck rather short ; body robust. Legs of 
moderate length, strong ; tarsus stout, compressed, with eight scutella ; toes 
of moderate length, stout, first and second nearly equal, fourth longer, and 
slightly adherent at the base. Claws strong, arched, compressed, acute. 
Plumage compact, glossed. Wings long, with the first quill short, the fourth 
longest. Tail of moderate length, rounded. Roof of upper mandible con- 
cave, with five ridges ; tongue emargined and papillate at the base, horny 
toward the end, thin-edged, with the point slit. 
THE RAVEN. 
Corvus Coras, Linn. 
PLATE CCXXIY.— Male. 
Leaving to compilers the task of repeating the mass of fabulous and 
unedifying matter that has been accumulated in the course of ages, respecting 
this and other remarkable species of birds, and arranging the materials which 
I obtained during years of laborious but gratifying observation, I will now 
attempt to delineate the manners of this species which I have noted in the 
course of a life chiefly spent in studying the birds of my native land, where 
I have had abundant opportunities of contemplating their manners, and of 
