History of British animals - University of Guam Marine Laboratory

Pica. BIRDS. PASSERES. 87111. P. caudata. Common Magpie.— Above and the breastblack ;scapulars and belly white.Will. Orn. 87-—Sibb. Scot. 15—Corvus pica, Linn. Syst.i.157- PemvBrit. Zool. i. 225. Temm. Orn. i. 115— E, Pianet, Madge; S, Piet ;W, Piogen ; G, Pioghaid. —Common.Length 18, breadth 24 inches ; weight 9 ounces. Bill and legs black. Iridesdark-brown. Gular feathers loose. Wings with purple reflections. Centralparts of the inner webs of the quills white. The first quill short. Tailblack, iridescent. The two middle feathers equal. The others rapidly decreasingin length to the exterior ones. Female similar, but less—Nest intrees, woven with sticks all round, the entrance at the side ; plastered withinat the bottom, and fined with dry grass. Eggs 6 to 8, yellowish-white,spotted with brown — and grey. When taken young this bird is easily tamed.It is omnivorous, usually in pairs, and is clamorous on the approach of dangerGen. L. CORVUS. Crow.—Bill strong, ridge bent. Tailrounded.* In single pairs in the breeding season.112. C. Corax. Raven.-— Plumage black, glossed with blue.Throat-feathers narrow, raised, acuminated ; those of the hind-Tail much rounded.neck long, loose, and silky.Corvus, Will. Orn. 82. Sibb. Scot. 15.— Cor. Cor. Linn. i.Syst. 155.Penn. Brit. Zool. i. 218. Temm. Orn. i. 107 E and S, Corby; W,Cigfran ; G, Fitheach—Common in hilly districts.Length 25, breadth 48 inches ; weight 34 ounces. Bill and legs black.Irides of two circles, the outer brown the inner grey. Tail more than halfthe length of the body. Female similar—Nest in high trees or rocks ; ofsticks, lined with wool. Eggs 5, oil-green, with brown and grey spots. Theyoung are easily tamed—This species feeds on carrion, and will kill lambs andweakly sheep, beginning its work by picking out their eyes. It abounds in theHebrides.113. C. coronc. Carrion Crow.— Plumageblack. Throatfeatherssmall, narrow, adpressed, the barbs loose at the margins.Tail slightlyrounded.Confix, Will. Orn. 83 Corvus minor, Sibb. Scot. 15 C. cor. Linn.Syst. i. 155. Penn. Brit. Zool. i. 219. Temm. Orn. 108 i. E, BlackNeb, Flesh Crow, Gor Crow, Midden Crow ; W, Bran dyddynCommon.Length 19|, breadth 20 inches ;weight 10 ounces. Bill and legs black ;irides hazel.— Nest on trees, of sticks, fined with hair and wool. Eggs 5, oilgreen,with brown and grey spots. Omnivorous—Is this species differentfrom the Hooded Crow ?114. C. Comix. Hooded Crow.— Head, throat, wings, andtail black, with blue and green reflections. Neck and therest of the body smoke-grey. Tail rounded.Cornix cinerea, Will. Orn 84. Sibb. Scot. 15—C. Cor. Linn. Syst.i. 150.Penn. Brit. ZooL i. 223. Temm. Orn. i. 109— E, Royston Crow,Dun Crow, Greybacked Crow, Bunting Crow ; S, Hoody W, Bran ; yrJwerddon ; G, Fionnag—Common.1