Birds of America
By John James Audubon, F. R. SS. L. & E.
VOLUME IV.
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.