"Gymnocitta cyanocephala. Blue Crow. Male: Dull blue, very variable in intensity, nearly uniform, but brightest on head, fading on belly; the throat with whitish streaks; wings dusky on the inner webs. Bill and feet black. Iris brown." Elliot Coues, 1884

Blue Crow

"Gymnocitta cyanocephala. Blue Crow. Male: Dull blue, very variable in intensity, nearly uniform, but…

The nutcracker has a straight bill for penetrating under the bark of trees in search of insects, (Figuier, 1869).

Nut-cracker Crow

The nutcracker has a straight bill for penetrating under the bark of trees in search of insects, (Figuier,…

The true crows are large passerine birds that comprise the genus Corvus in the family Corvidae. Ranging in size from the relatively small pigeon-sized jackdaws (Eurasian and Daurian) to the Common Raven of the Holarctic region and Thick-billed Raven of the highlands of Ethiopia, the 40 or so members of this genus occur on all temperate continents (except South America) and several offshore and oceanic islands (including Hawaii).

Crows

The true crows are large passerine birds that comprise the genus Corvus in the family Corvidae. Ranging…

"Corvus monedul. Jackdaw. The species throughout uniform lustrous black, including the bill and feet; nasal bristles about half as long as the bill, which exhibits the typical cultrirostral style. Nostrils large, but entirely concealed. Wings much longer than tail, folding about to its end. Several outer primaries sinuate-attenuate on inner webs. Tail rounded, with broad feathers, sinuate-truncate at ends, with mucronate shafts. Feet stout; tarsus more or less nearly equal to middle toe and claw, roughly scutellate in front, laminar behind, with a set of small plates between." Elliot Coues, 1884

jackdaw

"Corvus monedul. Jackdaw. The species throughout uniform lustrous black, including the bill and feet;…

The European Jay is brownish red tinged with grey. It has a patch of ultramarine blue banded with black on its wings, (Figuier, 1869).

European Jay

The European Jay is brownish red tinged with grey. It has a patch of ultramarine blue banded with black…

"And Pharaoh was wroth against his two officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers. And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound." Genesis 40:2-3 ASV
<p>Illustration of Joseph in the prison with two of Pharaoh's officers. Joseph leans against the wall between the two men, his left arm raised as he speaks. He wears only a tunic. One prisoner (right), sits on a bench and hides his face, leaning away from Joseph. The other man (left) sits on a bench and looks up at Joseph with hands clasped as if begging. Three small steps lead to a wooden door on the left.

Joseph in Prison with the Cup-Bearer and the Chief Baker

"And Pharaoh was wroth against his two officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief…

Reynard the Fox pretending to be dead so he can catch Corbaut and Sharpbeak, the crows.

Reynard the Fox: Tricking the Crows

Reynard the Fox pretending to be dead so he can catch Corbaut and Sharpbeak, the crows.

Rollers actually perform somersaults while flying.

Roller

Rollers actually perform somersaults while flying.

Rollers actually perform somersaults while flying.

Roller

Rollers actually perform somersaults while flying.

Starlings are remarkable for their vivacity, and grave, sombre plumage, lit up with brilliant metallic reflections of green and blue.

Starling

Starlings are remarkable for their vivacity, and grave, sombre plumage, lit up with brilliant metallic…

"And a certain maid seeing him as he sat in the light of the fire, and looking stedfastly upon him, said, This man also was with him. But he denied, saying, Woman, I know him not. And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou also art one of them. But Peter said, Man, I am not. And after the space of about one hour another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this man also was with him; for he is a Galilaean. But Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew." Luke 22:56-60 ASV
<p>Illustration of Peter denying his knowledge of Christ to a woman and a soldier. Peter sits in a courtyard. Jesus walks by (left), with his hands bound by rope, being followed by soldiers. A rooster sits on a windowsill above Peter's head. A column and low wall separate Jesus and Peter.

The Denial of Peter - Jesus Looks at Peter in the Courtyard

"And a certain maid seeing him as he sat in the light of the fire, and looking stedfastly upon him,…

Illustration of the god called Woden in Germanic mythology and Odin in Norse mythology. Much like Zeus in Greek mythology, Odin is the chief god. He is pictured sitting on a raised platform, wrapped in a robe, holding a spear, Gungnir, in his hand. A thin band crowns his head. His wolves, Geri and Freki, are pictured on either side of the platform. His crows, Huginn and Muninn, are pictured, one on his shoulder and one flying nearby. His name is inscribed in runes on the front of the platform.

Woden or Odin, Germanic and Norse God, Seated with His Wolves and Crows

Illustration of the god called Woden in Germanic mythology and Odin in Norse mythology. Much like Zeus…