Bill about the length of the head, robust, nearly straight, compressed; upper mandible with the dorsal line more or less arched, its tip slightly deflected, the edges sharp, with a slight notch or sinus. Nostrils basal, roundish, concealed by reversed slender stiff feathers. Head rather large, ovate; neck of moderate length, body compact. Feet of ordinary length, rather stout; tarsus compressed, with about eight large scutella; toes four, first stronger, but about the same length as the second and fourth, which latter is adherent at the base. Claws rather large, arched, compressed, acute. Plumage various; wings long or of moderate length, much rounded, the first quill about half the length of the fourth or fifth, which are longest; tail of twelve broad feathers. Upper mandible concave, with several longitudinal ridges; tongue oblong, flat above, horny, thin edged, with the tip slit and lacerated; œsophagus of moderate width, without dilatation; proventriculus bulbiform; stomach, a gizzard of moderate power, with a rugous dense epithelium; intestine of moderate length and width; cœca small, cylindrical, adnate. Trachea with four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles. Nest in high places, or in cavities, rudely constructed; eggs from four to six, ovate or oblong.
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 concave, with five ridges; tongue emargined and papillate at the base, horny toward the end, thin-edged, with the point slit.
224. 1. Corvus Corax, Linn. Raven.
Plate CI. Male.
Feathers of the fore neck lanceolate and elongated; tail much rounded; plumage deep black, glossed with blue and purplish-blue, the lower parts with green. Young with the feathers of the throat oblong, the upper parts less glossy, the lower dull greyish-black.
Male, 26, 50.