. Key to North American birds. Containing a concise account of every species of living and fossil bird at present known from the continent north of the Mexican and United States boundary, inclusive of Greenland and Lower California, with which are incorporated General ornithology: an outline of the structure and classification of birds; and Field ornithology, a manual of collecting, preparing, and preserving birds. Birds; Birds. COBVIBJE — COBVIN^: CROWS. 415 probably requiring reduction by at least one-tbh-d, in both cases. The Corvides have been divided into five subfamilies ; three of these
. Key to North American birds. Containing a concise account of every species of living and fossil bird at present known from the continent north of the Mexican and United States boundary, inclusive of Greenland and Lower California, with which are incorporated General ornithology: an outline of the structure and classification of birds; and Field ornithology, a manual of collecting, preparing, and preserving birds. Birds; Birds. COBVIBJE — COBVIN^: CROWS. 415 probably requiring reduction by at least one-tbh-d, in both cases. The Corvides have been divided into five subfamilies ; three of these are smaU and apparently specialized groups con- fined to the Old World, where they are represented most largely in the Australian and Indian regions; the other two, constituting the great bulk of the family, are more nearly cosmopolitan. These are the CormmcB and Oa/rrulinm, or crows and jays, readily distinguishable, at least so far as our forms are concerned, by the longer pointed wings and shorter less rounded tail of the former as contrasted with the shorter rounded wings and longer more rounded or graduated tail of the latter. 26. Subfamily CORVIN/E: Crows. With the wings long and pointed, much exceeding the tail; the tip formed by the 3d, 4th, and 5th quills; 2d much shorter, 1st only about i as long as 3d. The legs stout, fitted for walking as well as perching. As a rule, the plumage is sombre or at least unvariegated, — blue, the characteristic color of the, jays, being here ^" rare. The sexes are alike, and the changes of plumage Fig. 267. — Typical Corvine bill. ,. i , a n^i i ^ i • n • • i- j slight. Although technically oscme, corvine birds are highly unmasioal; the voice of the larger kinds is raucous, that of the smaller strident, — witness the croak of the raven, the " caw " of the crow, the screaming of jays. They frequent all situ- ations, and walk firmly and easily on the ground, where jays hop. They are among the most nearly omni
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1894
