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.
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 concave, with five ridges; tongue emargined and
papillate at the base, horny toward the end, thin-edged, with the
point slit.