whole of the plumage entirely black, like that of the Raven ;
the upper parts reflecting tints of violet and green in particular
lights; the tail shorter in proportion than that of the
Raven ; the tail-feathers broad; the form of the tail nearly
square, the outer feathers on each side • being but a little
shorter than those in the centre. The legs, toes, and; claws,
strong, and of a shining black.
The whole length of the bird described eighteen ‘inches
and a half. From the carpal joint to the end of the wing
thirteen--inches and a half: the first feather three inches^
shorter than the second; the second one inch shorter- than the
third; the third and fourth nearly equal, and the longest in
the wing.
Females, and the young birds of thé year before their first
-moult, have less metallic lustre on the upper surface of their
plumage than adult males.
The vignette below represents the breast-bone of the
Jackdaw, as illustrative of the form of the sternum in the
genus Corvus.
INSESSORES. CORVJDÆ.
T H É HOODED CROW.
Corvus corriix, The Hooded Cr
Corneille mante
:,;Penn. Beit. Zoot. vol. i. p. 286.
Mont. Ornith. Diet. •
Bewick, Brit. Bird's, vol, i. p. 89.
Ft,EM. Brit. An. p. 87.
Selby, Brit, Ornith. vol. i. p. 351.
Jenyns, Brit. Yertyj). 146.
Gch’ld, Birds of Europe, pt. xii.
T h e H ooded C row .in its form, as well as in its habits,
resembles the Carrion Crow ; it is even said to be more misT
chievous. In the southern parts of this country it is, however,
only a winter visiter, arriving from the North early in
October, and departing for the North again in April. In the
a 2