added to the alex iscontinuance da minished infes a new nobility d t favour, made de The situation of in history. Tas

Ho) or comm ts of the mar e varicus bra? oposal extremel h looks as fa others the p d; but this i ecedent in Sp e state of set tries. Meat he French, is in January apital of the

from the e leaving $62

sed to the the des letters ex itatives of the This, howe

cortes to determine. Every district elector, in succession, I grees become courtiers, as in Spain, the kings reigned in steps up to the table where the president and secretary are, fact absolute. In latter times there were less remains of and tells the name of his candidate, which the secretary writes popular freedom observable in Portugal than in Spain. In down. The scrutiny then takes place, and the majority of 1820, while King João VI. was in Brazil, a military insurrecvotes decides the election. The deputies elected receive full tion broke out in Portugal, and a Constitution was framed powers, in writing, from their electors, 'to act as they think in imitation of the Spanish one of 1812, but it was soon best for the general welfare, within the limits prescribed after upset. For an account of these transactions see by the constitution, and without derogating from any of its Kinsey's Portugal Illustrated, 1828. After the death articles.' The deputies are allowed by the respective pro- of King João, his son, Don Pedro, gave a charter to vinces a fixed emolument during the time of the sessions. Portugal, establishing a system of popular representation The ordinary cortes assemble once every year, in the month with two houses; this charter was afterwards abolished of March, and the session lasts three or at the utmost four by Don Miguel, and again re-established by Don Pedro. months. The deputies are renewed every two years. In 1836, soon after the affair of La Granja above mentioned, a fresh insurrection broke out at Lisbon, the charter was abrogated, and the Constitution of 1820 was again proclaimed.

The Aragonese, during their period of splendour, extended their representative system by brazos or estamentos to the island of Sardinia, then subject to the crown of Aragon, and the institution remains to this day under the name of Stamenti. They are convoked by the crown on particular occasions, chiefly to grant extraordinary supplies. (SARDINIA.]

These are the principles of the formation of the cortes, which, whatever may be their merits, nave evidently little in common, except the name, with the old cortes of Castile or Aragon. With regard to the legislative powers of the cortes, their influence over the administration, and the authority which is left to the executive, we must refer the reader to the text of the Constitution. The king has a veto for two years following; but if the resolution be persisted in the third year his veto ceases. While we are writing this article, the cortes assembled at Madrid, December, 1836, are occupied in making modifications in the Con- CORTO NA, a city and bishop's see in Tuscany, in the stitution, especially by the establishment of a second province of Arezzo, from which town it is fifteen miles dischamber, but it is not yet known how it will be constituted. tant south by east. It is built on the slope of a steep hill The extraordinary cortes of Cadiz were succeeded in facing the south, and commands a splendid view of the October, 1813, by the ordinary cortes, elected according to fertile Val di Chiana, and of the Thrasymenian lake. Its the principle of the Constitution. In January, 1814, they origin is lost in the remotest antiquity. Under the name transferred their sittings to Madrid, which had been freed of Corytum, it was one of the principal cities of the Etrusfrom the French. In March, of that year, King Ferdinand cans. Its walls which still remain are of the structure returned to Spain, and soon after dissolved the cortes, abro-called Cyclopean or Pelasgic, consisting of large polygonal gated the Constitution, and punished its supporters. In 1820 stones put together without cement. About the middle of the Constitution was proclaimed again through a military the fifth century of Rome we find Corytum allied to the insurrection; the king accepted it, and the cortes assem- latter, and it remained faithful to its alliance during the bled again. The king and the cortes however did not second Punic war, when Hannibal ravaged its territory remain long in harmony. In 1823 a French army, under before the battle of the Thrasymene lake. Little is known the duke of Angoulême, entered Spain; the cortes left of its subsequent history, except that according to DionyMadrid, taking the king with them to Seville, and thence sius and Pliny the elder, it received a Roman colony. Histransferred him by force to Cadiz. Cadiz having sur-tory is likewise silent about Cortona, after the fall of the rendered to the French, the cortes were again dispersed, the empire, until the end of the 12th century, when it appears Constitution was again abolished, and the liberals were as an independent municipal community, like most other again punished. This name of liberal,' which has become Italian cities at that time, having its consuls, and its council of such general use in our days, originated in the first cortes composed of the majores milites, or nobles, and the capi of Cadiz, where it was used to designate those deputies who d'arti e mestieri, or head tradesmen. It was repeatedly at were favourable to reform, whilst the opposite party were war with its neighbours of Arezzo, whose bishop claimed styled serviles.' (Arguelles, end of chap. v.) temporal as well as spiritual jurisdiction over Cortona. Having taken the part of Frederic II., the people of Cortona were excommunicated by the Pope; but after the death of that emperor, they made their peace with Rome and became allied to the Florentines, when, in February 1258, they were suddenly assailed in the night by the people of Arezzo, who, at the instigation of their bishop Übertini, scaled their walls, plundered the town, and razed their castle. Many of the citizens escaped to Perugia, but returned in 1261, by an agreement made with the bishop, who however continued to annoy them, till he was killed at the defeat of Campaldino by the Florentines in 1289. In 1325 Cortona was erected into a separate see by Pope John XXII. It then became subject to a powerful family called Casali, who assumed the title of Vicars Generals and Lords of Cortona for nearly a century. In 1409 the citizens being dissatisfied with their lord, called in the Neapolitan troops of King Ladislaus, who put to death Casali, took possession of Cortona, and then sold it two years after to the Florentines for 60,000 golden florins. From that time Cortona remained subject to Florence.

The history of the first cortes of Cadiz has been elo-
quently written by Arguelles; that of the cortes of 1820-3
and of the subsequent royalist reaction, is found in nume-
rous works and pamphlets of contemporary history, written
with more or less party spirit, among which the least par-
tial is perhaps the Revolution d'Espagne, Examen Critique,
8vo., Paris, 1836: it professes to be written by a Spanish
emigrant, who, though no great admirer of the Constitution
of 1812, speaks with equal freedom of the guilt and blunders
of the violent men of both parties.

Ferdinand VII., before his death, in 1833, assembled the
deputies of the royal towns, according to the antient form,
not to deliberate, but to acknowledge as his successor his
infant daughter Isabella. Some time after his death the
queen regent proclaimed a charter for the Spanish nation,
which was called Estatuto Real. It established the con-
vocation of the cortes and its division into two houses, the
procuradores, or deputies from the provinces, and the
proceres, or upper house, consisting of certain nobles,
prelates, and also of citizens distinguished by their merit.
The power of the cortes however was very limited, the
initiative of all laws belonging exclusively to the crown.
This charter did not last above two years. In the summer
of 1836 insurrections broke out at Malaga and other places,
where the Constitution of 1812 was again proclaimed; and
at last the insurrection spread among the troops which
were doing duty at the queen's residence, at La Granja, in
consequence of which the queen accepted the Constitution
'subject to the revision of the cortes.' The cortes were
therefore convoked according to the plan of 1812, and
assembled at Madrid in November, 1836.

The history of the cortes of Portugal is nearly the same
as that of those of Spain, only that the towns which sent
deputies were comparatively fewer, seldom more than ten
or twelve at a time, and the influence of the privileged
orders greater in proportion. The nobles having by de-

No. 475.

The city with its suburbs contains 5,000 inhabitants. Its territory is very fertile, especially in wine, corn, olive and mulberry trees. The high road from Florence to Perugia passes near Cortona.

The cathedral, built in the eleventh century, has some good paintings, and a fine basso rilievo of the Roman time. Several other churches and convents are also rich in paintings, especially by Luca Signorelli, a native of the place. There is a diocesan seminary for clerical students, a college kept by the fathers Scolopj, a conservatorio, or female house of education, kept by the nuns of Frances de Salis, and a school of drawing. The Accademia Etrusca, founded in 1726, has published several volumes of memoirs on Etruscan antiquities, and has a library with some valuable MSS., and a museum. Cortona has produced several distinguished artists and philologists. There is in the suburbs

se-red, sometime and generation

the sappere, Tysis gives

90

p. 447, 'closely resembling the preceding groups (fam. Sturnidae) in the form of its bill, in conjunction with Barita, Cuv., introduces us into the family of Corvida. From that genus we may trace a line of affinities, through some intervening forms, to the Jays and Rollers, Garrulus, Briss., and Coracias, Linn., until we arrive at the Corvus of Linnæus, which again branches out into several groups closely allied to each other, but differing considerably in the structure of the bill. Hence we proceed by means of Glaucopis, Forst., to some genera, among which we may particularize Ptilonorhynchus, Kuhl, Crypsirina, Vieill., Eulabes, Cuv., and Fregilus, Cuv., which, in the metallic lustre of their plumage and the velvet-like process that in some species ornaments the face, indicate our approach to the Birds of Paradise. The last-mentioned genus Fregilus, in particular, by its curved and slender bill, brings us immediately into this group, the Paradisea, Linn., which, in On the situation of such singular or apparently isolated conjunction with the Epimachus of M. Cuvier, terminates genera as Picathartes, Less., Podoces, Fisher, and more parthe family of Corvidae. Here we shall probably find the ticularly Barita, Cuv., we cannot at present give any opinion passage from the present to the succeeding family. The worth recording. [BARITA.] We suspect that Nucifraga is Epimachus, more united in its front toes than the Corvide the scansorial subgenus of Corvus; and notwithstanding the in general, holds a middle station in respect to that cha- confidence with which the genus Coracias has been referred, racter between the two groups; while in the length and in the natural system, to this family, we have not the least curvature of its bill it approaches, in conjunction with hesitation in placing it with the Fissirostres. It is indeed many of the Paradiseæ, to some of the extreme species of almost inconceivable that the strongest prejudice in favour the Buceride, among which the Buceros nasutus of Dr. of any theory, professing to follow natural affinities, could so Latham may be instanced.' Mr. Vigors, in a note, says far have blinded the judgment of a naturalist as to make that he speaks with considerable hesitation as to the situa-him separate Colaris from Coracias, and to violate nature tion of Epimachus, which bears too strong a resemblance by placing these two forms (so intimately allied that we to the Promerops of M. Brisson, a group feeding on vege- scarcely know how to distinguish them), not only in two table juices, with an extensile tongue, to permit him to distinct families, but actually in two widely situated tribes. separate it without some expression of doubt. Setting aside every other consideration, and looking merely to the wide gape, which has been so much insisted upon as a peculiarity of the genus Colaris, we find that this character is incontestably as much developed in Coracias: although a superficial observer, deceived by the length of the bill in the latter, will be led to think quite differently. Both genera, in fact, would be correctly described as having the rictus wide, opening half way beneath the eye. A passage in Mr. Vigors's and Dr. Horsfield's 'Description of the Australian Birds in the Collection of the Linnean Society' (Linn. Trans., vol. xv.), is referred to in the observations above quoted. In a note to the word tribes, the following words are quoted: 'Judging however from external characters, we have no hesitation in stating our opinion that these relations (between Colaris and Coracias) are merely analogical.' (Linn. Trans., xv. p. 203.) The following is the part of the paper alluded to This bird (Eurystomus, Vieill., Colaris, Cuv., Coracias Orientalis, Linn.), which seems to spread itself very generally over the eastern world, was originally placed by Linnæus among the Rollers, or his genus Coracias; and although it has latterly been formed into a distinct genus from that group, it has still been arranged next to it by the greater number of systematic writers. M. Vieillot, observing the extreme width of the base of the bill, grouped it among the Berry-eaters (Baccivori), a family which he formed out of the genus Ampelis, Linn., and some conterminous birds. He however still assigned it a station in the series of his genera, immediately subsequent to the Linnean genus Coracias. The bird evidently exhibits strong relations to both these groups. In its colours, its size and strength, and its general form, it bears a resemblance to the Rollers; while in the wide gape Bill short, entire, light; feet) Crypsirince of the bill it equally seems to approach the broad-billed

the position of the Fissirostral group, corresponding to the Buceridae. But we have many doubts on the true nature of the Tenuirostral type, since it must not only represent the Hang-nest Starlings (Icterina), but also the Caterpillarcatchers (Ceblepyrina) and the typical Ampelidae or Chatterers. Now it will strike every ornithologist who has the means of examining the Gracula calva of authors, that notwithstanding its general resemblance to the Chauve of Le Vaillant (Ois. de l'Amérique, pl. 49), it is decidedly a crow; while the latter is considered by Le Vaillant as unquestionably belonging to the Ampelide. We have, therefore, good reason to suspect the Gracula calva to be one of the tenuirostral types of the Corvida. In all probability it will prove to be the sub-family type representing that tribe, although at present we choose to omit its designation in the foregoing table.

Mr. Swainson, in Fauna Boreali-Americana' (vol. ii.), thus writes on the Corvida: 'There are some singular and highly interesting peculiarities exclusively belonging to groups pre-eminently typical, which demand the deepest attention of the philosophic naturalist. One of the most striking of these is the great difference between those forms which belong to perfect and natural genera, strictly so termed. We might cite the restricted genera, Tanagra, Cashmorhynchus (Casmarhynchos), and Coccothraustes, as remarkable examples of this fact, and as groups which would repay the most minute analysis. This peculiarity sometimes extends to higher groups; and in the present family, the most pre-eminently typical in the whole circle of ornithology, it is more striking than in any other. It is perhaps to this circumstance that we must attribute the very imperfect manner in which the internal relations of the Corvid have been illustrated, and the artificial distribution that has been made of the groups it contains. Our space indeed will not permit us at present to throw much light upon the subject, further than what may be gained by studying the following table of sub-families.

Analogies.

1. Typical Group.

CONIROSTRES.Wings lengthened, obliquely
pointed; lateral toes equal.f
2. Sub-typical Group.
Wings shorter, rounded, con-
vex; lateral toes unequal.
3. Aberrant Group.

DENTIROSTRES.

SCANSORES.

short.

* * * * * * * *

Sub-families.

Corvida.

-} Garrulinæ.

?

TENUIROSTRES."
FISSIROSTRES. Bill slender, lengthened; feet | Fregilinæ.

short.

A glance at the modern arrangements will show how essentially we differ from all ornithologists who, like us, have attempted to elucidate this very intricate family. The tests, however, by which every series of animals thought to be natural must be tried will bring to light many remarkable peculiarities which belong only to the foregoing arrangement. Yet, however confident we feel on the general accuracy of this sketch, we are unprepared either to show in what manner the sub-families are connected, or to refer many of the modern genera to their natural divisions. The Jays (Garrulina) unquestionably represent the Bush-shrikes (Thamnophiline); while the genus Crypsirine and the short-legged Glaucopine of M. Temminck form part of a group typifying the Drongo Shrikes. The slender bill of the Fregelina, at the opposite side of the circle, indicates

Berry-eaters. Judging however even from external characters, we have no hesitation in stating our opinion that these relations are merely analogical, and that the natural station of the bird is in the tribe of Fissirostres, but at that extremity of the group where it joins the Dentirostres. The shape of the wing, evidently formed for a rapid flight-the comparative shortness and weakness of the legs, indicating the pursuit of an aerial rather than of a terrestrial preyand the notched apex of the bill, denoting its food to be rather animal than vegetable-all are characters which point out its affinity to the Fissirostral group, whose perfection consists in their powers of flight, and of inclosing their prey within their gape, as they pursue it on the wing. The brilliant colours of this bird, which have hitherto led to its being placed among the Rollers, equally associate it with the present family of Todide* and with the neighbouring Halcyonidae, while the bill appears decidedly formed according to the same model as that of Eurylaimus and the

Under which it is placed by MM. Vigors and Horsfield.

conterminous group of Podargus. We had much pleasure in finding that our conjectures respecting the affinities of this group, which we had drawn merely from its external characters, were confirmed by the account of its habits and mode of life, which we have extracted above from Mr. Caley's manuscripts. We must observe, in addition, that this naturalist, arranging his birds without any predilection for systems, and in consonance merely with what appeared to him to be their natural affinities, of which he formed his judgment by actual observation of their manners, has grouped these birds in the same case with the Caprimulgi, Podargi, Hirundines, and Artami, in which situation they may still be seen.'

Lesson, in his 'Manual,' divides the Corvidae into two sections. 1. The true Crows; and 2. The Birds of Paradise (Les Paradisiers).

Genera. Corvus.

Bill straight, large, compressed, and a little swollen on the sides; convex and curved towards the point, its edges cutting. Nostrils open. Fourth quill the longest. Tail

even, rounded, or rectilinear.

Variety. Dr. Richardson (Fauna Boreali-Americana), states that a pied individual was killed on the south branch of the Mackenzie, from a flock of the common sort. Its neck, fore part of the back, and part of the wings were grey; the rest of its plumage black.

Locality. This,' writes Dr. Latham, 'is a universal species, found both in the old and new continents; from Greenland to the Cape of Good Hope in the one and from Hudson's Bay to Mexico in the other. It was also met with by our circumnavigators in the Sandwich Isles, and at Owhy hee was held in great estimation.' Its appearance is recorded in the first and second voyage of Parry as occurring within the Arctic circle, and in Franklin's Journal. Several pairs were seen at Melville Island, and Dr. Richardson gives a description of one killed at Fort Franklin in March,

1826.

Captain James Ross (Appendix to Sir John Ross's second voyage, p. 28), speaking of the raven, says, 'This is one of the few birds that are capable of braving the severity of an Arctic winter and of enduring the scorching rays of a tropical sun without any change being produced in its plumage by the extremes of climate. Cuvier and other authors mention that in the north it is frequently found more or less white: we never saw anything corroborative of such an observation. It preserves its plumage and peculiar characteristics unchanged in every quarter of the globe*." Most of the former are known to every countryman, and There are several other European and foreign species. the student will find both in the ornithological manuals.

'The genus Corvus,' says M. Lesson, is very numerous
in its species.
Birds which differ in their characters and
habits from the crows, properly so called-which are the
largest of the Passeres, whose way of life is carnivorous, and
their food composed of all sorts of substances, especially
carrion-have been joined to the genus. The crows possess
much intelligence, are easily tamed, and become very fami-
liar. They are very voracious and live in numerous bands,
and their harsh cry has been called croaking. They often
commit such havoc, that a price is set on their head in
some countries. They have at all times been objects of nished at the base with setaceous feathers, lying forwards.
Bill entire, with cutting edges, straight or curved, fur-
superstition to the people. Some of the crows are seden-Tail very long, graduated. (Vieillot).
tary, others again are travellers, and migrate annually.
They moult but once a year.'

Pica.

The Pica, magpies, feed much in the same manner as the true crows, build their nests in trees, advance on the ground by hopping, are clamorous, learn to articulate words easily, and the European species is renowned for hiding This bird also has been always an object of superstition anything shining and portable that pleases its eye. with the vulgar; and as it may be considered a typical form, we take it as an example.

Geographical Distribution. The genus is found in all
the four quarters of the globe.
Example. Corvus Corax. This well-known bird is the
Kópa of the Greeks, Corvus of the Latins, Corvo, Corbo,
and Corvo grosso of the modern Italians, El Cuervo of the
Spaniards, Corbeau of the French, Der Rabe and Der Kolk-
rabe of the Germans, Korp of the Swedes, Raun of the
Danes, Raven of the English, Corbie of the Scotch, Cig
Pica caudata of Ray, Corvus Pica of Linnæus, our com-
fran of the antient British, Kaw-kaw-gew of the Cree mon Magpie, or Pianet, is, there is hardly any doubt, the
Indians, and Toolloo-ak of the Esquimaux. Dr. Richard-Kirra of the Greeks, the Pica of the Latins, Gazza, Regazza,
son says that it abounds in the fur countries, and visits the
Putta, Picha, Gazuola, Gazzara, Ghiandura, Gaggia, and
remotest islands of the Polar seas. It frequents the barren Gaggia domenicana of the modern Italians, Pie, Jaguette,
grounds even in the most intense winter colds, its move-
Dame, and Agasse of the French, Die Elster, Die Aelster,
ments being directed in a great measure by those of the Danes, Skior and Tunfugl of the Norwegians, Piogen of
or Aglaster of the Germans, Skade and Huus Skade of the
herds of rein-deer, musk-oxen, and bison, which it follows, the antient British, Ootawa-kee-askee of the Cree Indians,
ready to assist in devouring such as are killed by beasts of and Shepecum-meuuck of the Maskegons.
prey or by accident. No sooner has a hunter slaughtered
an animal than these birds are seen coming from various
quarters to feast on the offal; and considerable numbers
constantly attend the fishing stations, where they show
equal boldness and rapacity. The experienced native,
when he sees from afar a flock of ravens wheeling in small
circles, knows that a party of his countrymen, well pro-
vided with venison, are encamped on the spot, or that a
band of wolves are preying upon the carcase of some of the
larger quadrupeds, and pushes on briskly in the certain
prospect of having his wants supplied. The thievish habits
of a tame raven are well known; but it is remarkable that,
inhabiting in a wild state the most secluded and worst
peopled districts of America, it should exhibit the same
disposition to carry off shining metallic bodies, and other
articles, totally unfit either for food or to be used in the
construction of its nest. Mr. Kendall, in crossing the
height of land which divides the waters that flow towards
Hudson's Bay from those which fall into the Arctic sea,
saw a raven flying off with something in his claws, pursued
by a number of his clamorous companions. The bird
being fired at dropped the object of contention, which
proved to be the lock of a chest."

The magpie is too well known to need description. It is
omnivorous, and lays six or seven oblong eggs of a yellowish
white, spotted with brown, and cinereous: its nest, well
fortified with blackthorn twigs, is a curiosity. The female
is rather less than the male, and her tail is shorter.
cana), so common in Europe, is equally plentiful in the in-
This bird,' says Dr. Richardson (Fauna Boreali-Ameri
terior prairie lands of America; but it is singular that
though it abounds on the shores of Sweden and other mari-
time parts of the Old World, it is very rare on the Atlantic
viduals passing to the eastward of the Mississippi or of Lake
coasts of America, or near Hudson's Bay: only stray indi-
Winipeg. Mr. Say informs us that it winters on the Mis-
souri, and takes its departure northwards on the 23rd of
March. It does not entirely quit the banks of the Saskat
chewan even in winter, but is much more frequent in sum-
bird, they are found to be longer and narrower; and though
mer. On comparing its eggs with those of the European
the colours are the same, the blotches are larger and more
diffused. The manners of the American bird are precisely
the same that we are accustomed to observe in the English
one.' Mr. Swainson adds, that he has been able to com-
terior of China, communicated to him by Mr. Gray, and
pare English and Arctic specimens with one from the in-
that he cannot perceive the slightest difference whereon to

The aptitude of the raven for articulating clearly is generally admitted. Mr. Swainson says, 'One belonging to Mr. Henslow, of St. Alban's, speaks so distinctly, that when first we heard it we were actually deceived in thinking it was a human voice: and there is another at Chatham which has made equal proficiency; for, living in the vici nity of a guard-house, it has more than once turned out the guard, who thought they were called by the sentinel on duty.'

The reader is desired to add the following information to the account of the geographical distribution of the passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratoria, Columba migratoria of authors, in the article Columbida.A young male bird flew on board the Victory during a storm, while crossing Baffin's Bay, in lat. 734 N., on the 31st July, 1829. It has never before been seen beyond the sixty-second degree of latitude; and the circumstance of our having met with it so far to the northward is a singular and interesting fact, (Captain James Ross, Appendir, p. 29.)

na Boreal build even the character of a variety, much less of a species. | set upon the rows of peas when in bearing. Dr. Kramer The tails of the Arctic specimens, he observes, are very beautiful.

as killed a t

lock of the o

part of the

ham, 'is a res continents: fr the one and i It was also mer ich Isles, and

Its appearate

e of Parry

klin's Jour and Dr. R ort Frankl

Variety.-White.

says that it will kill small birds. With regard to their imitative powers, Bewick says, 'We have heard one imitate the sound made by the action of a saw so exactly, that though

There are several foreign species. They occur both in it was on a Sunday, we could hardly be persuaded that the the Old and New World.

Dendrocitta.

A genus founded by Mr. Gould, and comprehending Pica Vagabunda of Wagler, Pica Sinensis of Hardwicke and Gray, and a third species, which Mr. Gould believes to have been hitherto unnoticed.

Generic Character.-Bill shorter than the head, cultrated, broad at the base, culmen arched, sides subtumid; nostrils basal, partly covered with setaceous feathers. Wings moderate: fifth and sixth quills longest. Tail elongated, cuneated, the tail-feathers spatulate. Feet (tarsi) short and weak; toes moderate; hallux strong, with a strong incurvated claw.

Generic Type.

Dendrocitta leucogastra. Black; occiput, neck, transverse stripe at the base of the quills, and abdomen white; scapulars, interscapular region (interscapulio), and lower tail-coverts tinged with chestnut (dilute castaneis); two internal tail-feathers ash-coloured, except at their tips.

The shortness and comparative feebleness of the tarsi in Dendrocitta, and its more elongated tail, the feathers of which are equally graduated, except the two middle ones, which are much longer than the others, distinguish it from the typical Pica, the common magpie, for example. These characters are in accordance with its habit of wandering from tree to tree in search of its food. It is farther distinguished by the form of its bill.'

All the species yet known are natives of Eastern Asia.' (Gould, Zool. Proc., May 14, 1833.)

Example, Dendrocitta vagabunda, Pica vagabunda, Wagler. Head, neck, and crest of a smoke colour, or blackish grey; the back light cinnamon; the centre of the wings grey; the quills black; the tail grey, each feather being tipped largely with black; under surface pale tawny; beak and tarsi black. Length 164 inches; beak 1; tarsi 1; tail 10. The species is more widely diffused than any of its congeners, being found in considerable abundance all over India. (Gould, Century of Birds from the Himalaya Mountains.)

Garrulus.

Bill moderate, straight, with cutting edges, inclined, and with obscure notches near the point. Tail even, sometimes rounded. (Vieillot).

The jays are inhabitants of the wooded districts, and live chiefly upon fruits, principally acorns and such vegetable productions. They rarely come into the open country, but make great havoc in gardens and cultivated grounds in the neighbourhood of woodlands. Their food is much less varied than that of the true crows; but they may still be styled omnivorous. Their plumage is generally gay, and even brilliant: the beautiful speculum on the wing is a leading character. The manners of the foreign species are analogous to those of the foreign magpies. Those of the common jay and its aptness at imitation are well known.

Example, Garrulus glandarius, the common jay, which is supposed by Belon to be the Maλaкокρavevç (Malacocraneus) of Aristotle; and we may observe, in confirmation of this opinion, that the editor of the last edition of Pennant says, that the bird is very common in Greece, where it still retains its antient name, Maλakoкpaveic. Belon states it to be the Gaza Ghiandaia, or Ghiandara, the Gaza verla and the Berta of the modern Italians; and C. Bonaparte gives Ghiandaja, Pica, Pica ghiandaja, and Pica palombina as its Italian appellations. It is the Jay and Gear of the French, the Eichen-heher (oak-jay), Holtzschryer (woodcryer), or Holzeher of the Germans, and Screch y Coed of the antient British.

The jay is too well known to require description. It builds its basket-like nest in trees or high coppice wood and hedges, and lays five or six eggs of a dull whitish olive, mottled very obscurely with pale brown; towards the large end there are usually two or three black lines. It is a sad enemy to gardeners; fruits, especially cherries, and peas, are its great favourites, and it is frequently taken by springes

person who kept it had not a carpenter at work in the house. Another, at the approach of cattle, had learned to hound a cur dog upon them, by whistling and calling upon him by his name. At last, during a severe frost, the dog was, by that means, excited to attack a cow big with calf, when the poor animal fell on the ice, and was much hurt; the jay was complained of as a nuisance, and its owner was obliged to destroy it.'

Varieties.-Dr. Latham says he has seen two varieties; the one pure white, the other as in the common jay, but having the whole of the quills white.

Locality. The author last quoted states that this species, though not nearly so far spread as the magpie, exists in various parts of the continent of Europe, and that he has observed it among drawings done in China.

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There are several foreign species, both of the New and Old World. Mr. Gould, who figures three species in his Century of Birds,' well observes that, The close affinity which the Garrulus lanceolatus bears to some species inhabiting the United States and Mexico is worthy of remark, as a corroboration of the fact so often insisted on, that separated from each other, whose temperatures are alike.' similar forms of ornithology are found in countries widely Indeed, the last-mentioned bird immediately reminds the observer of the blue jay (Garrulus cristatus) of America, while Garrulus bispecularis recalls the common jay to his

recollection.

Picathartes.

A genus founded by M. Lesson, who takes for the type the Pie chauve (Corvus gymnocephalus) of Temminck.

Generic character.- Bill convex, not very robust, the upper mandible higher than the lower; the latter a little swollen towards its extremity; the base entirely without hairs and furnished with a cere. Nostrils placed on the middle of the bill, oval, open, hollowed into an oblong excavation. Head entirely naked. Feet (tarsi) long, but little scutellated in front, naked behind; claws feeble; wings rounded, short. Tail long, graduated. (Lesson.)

'The form of this singular bird,' says M. Temminck, 'the cut of its wings, and its long, conical, and very graduated tail, serve me as indicia to judge by analogy of what country it may be a native, its locality being unknown. In fact, on comparing our new species with the Piapic of Le Vaillant (Corvus Senegalensis), one is inclined, from the marked analogy, to conclude Africa to be its country. Some data, which it is nevertheless not prudent to trust, lead me to believe that the only individual known, which is in the collection of Mr. Leadbeater of London, was brought from the English possessions on the coast of Guinea.'

Proportions (taille) a little stronger, tarsi much longer, and a tail less in proportion distinguish our bird from the Piapic. The head in certain points offers some resemblance to that of the Gracula calva of the Philippines, and this approximation is so strong that it would produce doubts as to its African origin, if it did not bear a greater resemblance in its general contour to the Piapic of Africa. In fine, if this bird is not African, it can only be a native of the Philippine islands.'

Upon this passage M. Lesson remarks, that he does not find the least analogy between the figure of the Enlum, 538, which is the Corvus Senegalensis, and the Pie chauve, which more resembles a Cathartes. The conclusion stated in M. Temminck's last sentence M. Lesson is far from admitting.

The following is Temminck's description of the species. The naked parts of the head offer a particular character. The whole of the auditory meatus is completely destitute of feathers and even of hairs. A small border, or rudiment of membrane, forms, below the orifice of the ear, a sort of external concha, but little apparent, it is true, in the stuffed specimen, but the extent of which must be remarkable in the living bird. All this part of the organ of hearing, as well as a part of each side of the occiput, are covered by a black skin with a slightly-projecting orbicular border, and forming a rounded plaque. The cere which envelopes the base of the bill is also black. All the rest of the naked parts of the head, the mesial line of the occiput which sepa