the Raven or Crow kind, in ornithology; a genus of birds of the order of piece, the distinguishing characteristics of which are these: The beak is convex and cultrated; the nostrils are covered with bristly feathers; the tongue is forked and cartilaginous; and the feet are of the walking kind. The species are 19. The most remarkable are:

1. The corax, or raven of English authors, weighs three pounds, and is about two feet two inches in length; the colour is black, finely glossed with a rich blue; the belly excepted, which is of a dusky colour. They are very docile birds, and may be trained up to fowling like hawks; to fetch and carry like spaniels; they may be taught to speak like parrots; and, what is most extraordinary of all, they may be taught to imitate the human voice in singing. They have a great propensity to pilfer, often hiding things of value to the great loss of the owner, without use to themselves. They frequent the neighbourhood of great towns, where they are useful in devouring the carcasses and filth which would otherwise prove a nuisance. They, however, also destroy many living animals; such as, rabbits, young ducks, and chickens, and not unfrequently lambs which have been dropped in a weak state. In clear weather they fly in pairs to a great height, making a deep loud noise, different from the common croaking. Their scent is remarkably good; and they are very long lived. The quills of ravens sell for 12s. per hundred, being of great use in tuning the lower notes of an harpsichord when the wires are set at a considerable distance from the sticks.—The raven makes its nest early in the spring, laying 5 or 6 eggs, of a pale bluish-green colour spotted with brown. With us it builds in trees; but in Greenland and Iceland makes its nest in the holes of rocks, composing it of roots and twigs, together with the bones they have picked, and lining it with hair, moss, &c. The flesh of these birds, rank and unavourly as we may well suppose it, is eaten in Greenland by many of the natives, who also use the skins as a warm under-covering.

2. The corone, or carrion-crow, in the form of its body agrees with the raven; also in its food, which is carrion and other filth. It will also eat grain and insects; and like the raven will pick out the eyes; for which reason it was formerly distinguished from the rook, which feeds entirely on grain and insects, by the name of the gor, or gor-crow. Virgil says that its croaking foreboded rain:

Tum cornix plena pluviam vocat improba voce.

It was also thought a bird of bad omen, especially if it happened to be seen on the left hand:

Sapere finitura cava praedita ab illice cornix.

England breeds more of this kind of birds than any other country in Europe. In the 24th of Henry VIII. they were grown so numerous, and thought to be so prejudicial to the farmer, that they were considered as an evil worthy of parliamentary redress; an act was passed for their destruction, in which rooks and crows were included: Every hamlet was to provide crow-nets for ten years; and all the inhabitants were obliged at certain times to assemble during that space to consult of the proper means for exterminating them. But though the crow abounds thus in Britain, it is so rare in Sweden, that Linnaeus speaks of it only as a bird that he once knew killed there. It lays the same number of eggs as the raven, and of the same colour immediately after defecating their young they go in pairs. Both these birds are often found white or pied; an accident that befalls black birds more frequently than any others. Mr Pennant says, he has observed one entirely of a pale brown colour, not only in its plumage, but even in its bill and feet. The crow weighs about 20 ounces. Its length is 18 inches; its breadth two feet two inches.

Concerning these birds, we have the following curious anecdote in Mr Edward's natural history*. "The reverend Mr Robinson rector of Oulby in Westmoreland and Cumberland, says, 'that birds are natural planters of all sorts of wood and trees. They disseminate the kernels upon the earth, which like nurseries brings them forth till they grow up to their natural strength and perfection.' He says, 'About 25 years ago, coming from Rosecastle early in the morning, I observed a great number of crows very busy at their work upon a declining ground of a mossy surface: I went out of my way on purpose to view their labour, and I found they were planting a grove of oaks. The manner of their planting was thus: they first made little holes in the earth with their bills, going about and about till the hole was deep enough; and then they dropped in the acorn, and covered it with earth and moss. The season was at the latter end of autumn when all seeds are full ripe.' Mr Robinson seems to think that Providence had given the crows this instinct solely for the propagation of trees; but I imagine it was given them principally for their own preservation, by hiding provision in time of plenty, in order to supply them in a time of scarcity; for it is observed in tame pies and daws kept about houses, that they will hide their meat when they have plenty of it, and fetch it from their hiding-places when they want. So that such an instinct in these birds may answer a double purpose; both their own support in times of need, and the propagation of the trees they plant: for wherever they hide a great number of nuts or grain in the earth, we cannot suppose they find them all again; but that as many will remain in the plot of ground they make use of, as can well grow by one another."

3. The frugilegus, or rook, is the corvus of Virgil; no other species of this kind being gregarious.

E pofitu decedens ugmine magno Corvorum increpit densis exercitus alis.

A very natural description of the evening return of these birds to their nests.

The rook differs not greatly in its form from the carrion crow; the most remarkable difference is in the nostrils and root of the bill; which parts in the crow are well clothed with feathers, but in the rook are bare, or covered only with some bristly hairs. This arises from its thrusting the bill into the earth continually, after the various worms and crabs of insects, on which it feeds; for it does not live on carrion, like the the last species and ravens. Besides insects, it also feeds on all sorts of grain; to some inconvenience perhaps to the husbandman, but no doubt doubly repaid by the good done him in exterminating the maggot of the chafersbeetle, which in some seasons destroys whole crops of corns by feeding on the roots. The rook is a gregarious bird, sometimes being seen in immense flocks, so as to almost darken the air. These flights they regularly perform morning and evening, except in breeding-time, when the daily attendance of both male and female is required for the use of incubation, or feeding the young; for it is observed that they do both by turns. As these birds are apt to form themselves into societies, such places as they frequent during the breeding-time are called rookeries; and they generally choose a large clump of the tallest trees for this purpose; but make no great a litter, and such a perpetual chatter, that nothing but habit and a length of time can reconcile one to the noise. The eggs are like those of crows, but less, and the spots larger. They begin to build in March, and after the breeding-season forsake their nest trees, going to roost elsewhere, but have been observed to return to them in August; in October they repair their nests. In Britain they remain the whole year; yet we are told that both in France and Silesia they are birds of passage. Whether they migrate or not in Sweden, we are not told; but Linnæus talks of their building there. The young birds are accounted good eating, especially if skinned and put in a pie.

4. The cornix, or royston crow, pretty much resembles the rook, feeding on insects, and flying together in great flocks. In England it is a bird of passage, visiting that kingdom in the beginning of winter, and leaving it with the woodcocks. In the maritime parts they feed on crabs and shell-fish. They are very common in Scotland; in many parts of the Highlands, and in all the Hebrides, Orkneys, and Shetland, it is the only species of genuine crow; the carrion and rook being unknown there. It breeds and continues in those parts the whole year round. In the Highlands, they breed indifferently in all kinds of trees: lay five eggs: have a shriller note than the common crows; are much more mischievous; pick out the eyes of lambs, and even of horses when engaged in bogs. They are, therefore, in many places proscribed, and rewards given for killing them. For want of other food these birds will eat cranberries or other mountain berries.

5. The dauricus, or white-breasted crow, is in length about 12 inches; the bill is black; the head and throat are black, glossed with blue; the neck and breast white; the rest of the body, wings, and tail, blue-black; the legs of a lead-colour; the claws black. The specimen figured by Buffon came from Senegal; but it is by no means confined to that quarter. Pallas describes the same species, which he says come early in the spring in great flights from China, and the southern Monguls country, into the parts about the lake Baikal, but most frequent about the towns and villages on the river Lena, in which part the jackdaws and Royston crows are very seldom seen. It is said they are likewise found in vast numbers in the island of Johann, where they live chiefly on insects and fruits, and make their nests in trees.

6. The monedula, or jack-daw, weighs nine ounces; the length thirteen inches, the breadth twenty-eight. The head is large in proportion to its body; which, Mr Willoughby says, argues him to be ingenious and crafty. The irises are white; the breast and belly are of a dusky hue inclining to ash-colour; the rest of the plumage is black, slightly glossed with blue; the claws very strong and hooked. It is a docile and loquacious bird. Jack-daws breed in steeples, old castles, and in high rocks, laying five or six eggs. Sometimes they have been known to breed in hollow-trees near a rookery, and join those birds in their foraging parties. In some parts of Hampshire, they make their nests in rabbit holes; they also build in the interstices between the upright and transverse stones of Stonehenge; a proof of the prodigious height of that stupendous antiquity, for their nests are placed beyond the reach of the shepherd boys, who are always idling about this spot. They are gregarious birds; and feed on insects, grain, and seeds.—These birds are frequently brought up tame; they have a practice of hiding that part of their food which they cannot eat; and often, along with it, they secret small valuables, thereby sometimes occasioning injurious suspicions of theft in servants or others not guilty.

7. The glandarius, or jay, is one of the most beautiful of British birds. The weight is between six and seven ounces; the length 13 inches. The forehead is white streaked with black; the head is covered with very long feathers, which it can erect at pleasure into the form of a crest; the whole neck, back, breast, and belly, are of a faint purple dished with grey; the covert-feathers of the wings are of the same colour. The first quill-feather is black; the exterior webs of the nine next are ash-coloured; the interior webs dusky; the five next are black, but the lower sides of their exterior webs are white tinged with blue; the two next wholly black; the last of a fine bay colour tipped with black. The lesser coverts are of a light bay; the greater covert feathers most beautifully barred with a lively blue, black, and white; the rest are black; the rump is white. The tail consists of twelve black feathers. The feet are of a pale brown; the claws large and hooked.—Jays build chiefly in woods, making their nest of sticks, fibres of roots, and tender twigs; and lay five or six eggs, of the size of a pigeon's, cinereous olive, marked with pale brown. The young keep with the old ones till the next pairing time in spring; when they choose each his mate to produce their future progeny. In general they feed on acorns, nuts, seeds, and fruits of all kinds; but will sometimes destroy young chickens and eggs, and will also take away birds that have been caught in a trap or entangled with birdlime. They are often kept in cages, and will talk pretty well; but then lose all their beauty so conspicuous in the wild state.

8. The caryocatactes, or nutcracker, is somewhat less than the jack-daw: the bill is strong, straight, and black; the colour of the whole head and neck, breast and body, of a rusty brown; the crown of the head and rump are plain; the other parts marked with triangular white spots; the wings are black; the coverts spotted in the same manner as the body; the tail is rounded at the end, black tipped with white; the vent-feathers... feathers are white; the legs dusky. We find these birds scattered in many parts of Europe, but nowhere so plenty as in Germany; they are found also in Sweden and Denmark, where they frequent the mountainous parts. Sometimes they come in vast flocks into France, especially Burgundy. They visit England very seldom; are also found in North America, but not near the sea-coasts. One has been brought from Kamtschatka by the late voyagers.—In manners this bird is said to resemble the jay, laying up a store of acorns and nuts. In some parts it keeps chiefly in the pine forests, on the kernels of which it then feeds; but is said frequently to pierce the trees like the woodpecker, for which the bill seems not unapt. It makes its nest in holes of trees. Klein mentions two varieties, one smaller than the other; the largest, he says, breaks the nuts to pieces, and the other pierces them. Both feed at times on wild berries and insects.

9. The pica, or magpie, is in length above 18 inches, and weighs 8 or 9 ounces. The bill is black; the irides are hazel; the capulars, and all the under parts from the breast, are white; the rest of the plumage, wings, and tail, black, glossed with green, purple, and blue, in different lights; the eleven first quills are white in the middle on the inner web, lessening by degrees as they advance inwards; the tail is very cuneiform, the two middle feathers being near 11 inches in length, and the outmost only 5 inches and a half; the legs are black. We can form no judgment of the beauties of this bird, from those dirty mutilated specimens which we see exposed daily in a wicker cage at every stall. It is only in a state of nature that they can be found; and whoever views them in this state, will do so with astonishment; for though the colours, at a distant view, seem to be mere black and white, yet the splendor that meets in every new situation the eye of the beholder, will oblige him to own that there is not a more beautiful bird in Britain. In these parts it is everywhere common. Mr Latham has been able to trace this bird no farther south than Italy on the European continent; and to the north, Sweden, and Denmark. Forster met with it at Madeira; and it is also seen in America, but not common, and is a bird of passage in those parts. At Hudson's Bay it is called by the Indians Que-ta-ke-wa-ke, which signifies Heart-Bird; but for what reason does not appear. In manners it approaches to the crow, feeding almost on everything in turn, both animal and vegetable; and like that will kill young ducks and chickens, and suck the eggs. It builds its nest with art, making a thorny cover at top, leaving a hole on the side for admittance; lays six or seven pale greenish eggs, thickly spotted with black. It is a crafty bird in every state, and if brought up young, becomes exceedingly familiar, and will talk a great many sentences, as well as imitate every noise within hearing, like a parrot, but not near so plain.

10. The graculus, or red-legged crow, is but thinly scattered over the northern world: no mention is made of it by any of the Faunists; nor do we find it in other parts of Europe except Britain and the Alps. It is produced in the island of Canada in Asia; and it visits Egypt towards the end of the inundations of the Nile. Except in Egypt, it affects mountainous and rocky places; builds its nest in high cliffs or ruined towers; and lays four or five eggs, white spotted with a dirty yellow. It feeds on insects, and also on new-town corn. They commonly fly high, make a shriller noise than the jack-daw, and may be taught to speak. It is a very tender bird, and unable to bear very severe weather; is of an elegant, slender make; active, restless, and thieving; much taken with glitter, and so meddling as not to be trusted where things of consequence lie. It is very apt to catch up bits of lighted sticks; so that there are instances of houses being set on fire by its means; on which account Cambden calls it incendaria avis. It is found in Cornwall, Flintshire, Caernarvonshire, and Anglesea, in the rocky cliffs along the shores. It is also found in Scotland as far as Strathnaver, and in some of the Hebrides. Its colour is wholly black, beautifully glossed over with blue and purple; the legs and bill are of a bright orange colour inclining to red; the tongue is almost as long as the bill, and a little cloven; the claws are large, hooked, and black.

11. The cristatus, or blue jay, is much smaller than the common jay. The bill is black and above an inch long; the head is crested and blue; a streak of the sides of the head and throat are of a bluish white, and there is a spot of the same over the eye; hind part of the neck and back is blue; the wings and tail are the same; all the feathers of the last, except the two middle ones, tipped with white; the feathers of both it and the wings elegantly barred with black, and the greater coverts and second quills tipped with white; the breast is of a blossom colour; the belly and under tail-coverts white; the legs are dusky brown; the tail is nearly as long as the rest of the bird. The colours of the female are less bright than those of the male—This species is said to be peculiar to North America, but not seen farther north than the town of Albany. It builds in swamps, and has a soft delicate note. Its food is hazel-nuts, chestnuts, and such like, which it breaks by placing between the feet, and pecking with the bill till the shell gives way. It is also very fond of maize; and being a gregarious bird, often unites into flocks of 20,000 at least, which alighting on a field of 10 or 12 acres soon lay waste the whole; hence it is reckoned the most destructive bird in that country. They will often take up with snails and vermin thro' necessity, but not while anything they like better is to be got at. They are not accounted good to eat.

12. The canadensis is in length 9 inches, and weighs two ounces. The bill is blackish, and not quite an inch long; the irides are black; the forehead and throat are of a dirty yellowish white; the hind head and sides of blackish brown; the upper parts of the body are brown; beneath pale ash, paler on the breast; the quills and tail are brown, tipped with white; tail is a little wedged; the legs and claws are blackish. These birds inhabit Canada; and are frequent near Hudson's Bay, where they are called Whiskijohn and Whiskijack. They breed early in the spring; build in pine-trees; and have two, rarely three, young at a time. The eggs are blue. They are not gregarious. Their food is black moths, worms, and flesh. They are very bold pilfering birds, stealing from the traveller even salt meat, and devouring often the bait from the traps set. Corvus (Raven), in astronomy, a constellation of the southern hemisphere; whose stars in Ptolemy's Catalogue are 7; in Tycho's as many; in the Britannic Catalogue 9.

Roman antiquity, a military engine, or rather gallery, moveable at pleasure by means of pulleys; chiefly used in boarding the enemy's ships to cover the men. The construction of the corvus was as follows: They erected on the prow of their vessels a round piece of timber of about a foot and an half diameter, and about 12 feet long; on the top of which they had a block or pulley. Round this piece of timber they laid a stage or platform of boards, four feet broad, and about 18 feet long, which was well framed and fastened with iron. The entrance was long-ways, and it moved about on the above mentioned upright piece of timber as on a spindle, and could be hoisted up within six feet of the top: about this was a fort of parapet knee-high, which was defended with upright bars of iron sharpened at the end, and towards the top there was a ring, by the help of which and a pulley or tackle, they raised or lowered the engine at pleasure. With this moveable gallery they boarded the enemy's vessels (when they did not oppose side to side), sometimes on their bow, and sometimes on their stern, as occasion best served. When they had grappled the enemy with these iron spikes, if they happened to swing broadside to broadside, then they entered from all parts; but in case they attacked them on the bow, they entered two and two by the help of this machine, the foremost defending the foreparts, and those that followed the flanks keeping the bows of their bucklers level with the top of the parapet.