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 Another Random Document on
Scribd Without Any Related Topics
Dr. Beverley Morris gives a very interesting account of a female
Starling that he observed building a nest in a hollow tree. The male
looked on, but took no part, except to drive away other intrusive
birds. The female made on an average three trips a minute, with
small twigs and bits of dry grass, taking sometimes three or four at a
time. He estimated that in the space of six hours she had taken to
her nest not less than a thousand sticks.
The Starling is said to select for its nest suitable places in church-
steeples, the eaves of houses, and holes in walls, especially of old
towers and ruins; occasionally it builds in hollow trees, in cliffs or in
high rocks overhanging the sea, and also in dovecotes. The nests
are made of slender twigs, straw, roots, and dry grasses. The birds
incubate sixteen days. The old birds are devoted to their offspring.
Almost as soon as the nestlings are able to fly, different families
unite to form large flocks, which may be seen feeding on commons
and grass-grounds, in company with the Rooks and other birds.
Their chief food consists of larvæ, worms, insects in various stages,
and, at times, berries and grain. In confinement they are very fond
of raw meat.
Mr. Yarrell, quoting Dr. Dean of Wells, gives an account of an
extraordinary haunt of Starlings on an estate of a gentleman who
had prepared the place for occupation by Pheasants. It was in a
plantation of arbutus and laurustinus, covering some acres, to which
these birds repaired, in the evening, almost by the million, coming
from the low grounds about the Severn. A similar instance is given
by Mr. Ball, of Dublin, of an immense swarm of several hundred
thousand Starlings sleeping every night in a mass of thorn-trees at
the upper end of the Zoölogical Garden in Phœnix Park.
The Starlings are found throughout Great Britain, even to the
Hebrides and the Orkneys, where they are great favorites, and holes
are left in the walls of the houses for their accommodation. They are
common throughout Norway, Sweden, and the north of Europe, and
as far east as the Himalayas and even Japan. They are also found in
all the countries on both sides of the Mediterranean, and Mr. Gould
states that they occur in Africa as far south as the Cape of Good
Hope.
The eggs of the Starling are five in number, of a uniform delicate
pale blue, oval in shape and rounded at one end; they measure 1.20
inches in length by .88 in breadth.
 Family CORVIDÆ.—The Crows.
Char. Primaries ten; the first short, generally about half as long as the second (or a little more); the
outer four sinuated on the inner edge. The nasal fossæ and nostrils usually more or less concealed by
narrow, stiffened bristles (or bristly feathers), with short appressed lateral branches extending to the
very tip, all directed forwards (these bristles occasionally wanting). Tarsi scutellate anteriorly, the sides
undivided (except sometimes below), and separated from the anterior plates by a narrow naked strip,
sometimes filled up with small scales. Basal joint of middle toe united about equally to the lateral,
generally for about half the length. Bill generally notched.

The preceding characters distinguish the family of Crows quite markedly from all
others. The features of the bristles on the bill, and the separation of the lateral and
anterior scales by a narrow interval, are worthy of particular attention. The
commissure is without the obtusely angular bend near the base, seen in the
Icteridæ.
There are two sub-families of Corvidæ represented in America, one embracing the
true Crows, the other the Jays. They pass very insensibly into each other, and it is
difficult to mark the dividing line. We may, however, distinguish these, as found in
the United States, by the following characters:—
Corvinæ. Bill as long as the head. Tail short, nearly even; wings long and pointed, longer than tail,
and nearly reaching its tip; projecting beyond the under tail-coverts, which reach the middle of tail.
Tip of wing formed by the third, fourth, and fifth quills, which are longest.
Garrulinæ. Bill usually shorter than head. Tail lengthened, rounded, and generally longer than the
wings, which are short, rounded, and extend scarcely beyond the lower tail-coverts; these not
reaching the middle of the tail. Tip of wing formed by the fourth, fifth, and sixth quills, which are
longest.

The row of small scales is usually present on both sides of the tarsi in the Corvinæ,
but in the Jays is generally restricted to the inner face.
 Subfamily C O R V I N Æ .
Char. Wings long and pointed; longer than the tail, and, when closed, reaching nearly to its tip,
extending far beyond the under tail-coverts; the third, fourth, and fifth quills forming the tip of the
wing.

The following diagnosis may serve to distinguish the three genera of North American
Corvinæ:—
A. (Corveæ). Bill compressed, much higher than broad; its tip compressed. Size large (i.
e. over 15 inches long), color black, or mainly black.
Color black throughout; bill much compressed, the culmen much arched, and the
gonys convex; nasal bristles strong … Corvus.
B. (Nucifrageæ.) Bill cylindrical, scarcely or not at all higher than broad; its tip
depressed. Size small (i. e. less than 15 inches long). Color uniform blue or with ashy on
body, and black wings and tail.
Color ashy, with wings and tail mainly black. Culmen convex, gonys slightly concave.
Nostrils covered by the short nasal tuft … Picicorvus.
Color uniform blue, brighter on the head; the throat streaked with whitish. Culmen
straight; gonys slightly convex. Nostrils completely exposed; no nasal
tufts … Gymnokitta.

Genus CORVUS, Linnæus.

Corvus, Linnæus, Syst. Nat. 1735. (Type, Corvus corax, L.)

Corvus carnivorus.
12442
Gen. Char. The nasal feathers lengthened, reaching to or beyond the middle of the bill. Nostrils large,
circular, overhung behind by membrane, the edges rounded elsewhere. Rictus without bristles. Bill
nearly as long as the tarsus, very stout; much higher than broad at the base; culmen much arched.
Wings reaching nearly or quite to the tip of the tail, the outer four primaries sinuated internally. Tarsi
longer than the middle toe, with a series of small scales on the middle of each side separating the
anterior scutellate portion from the posterior continuous plates. Sides of the head occasionally with
nearly naked patches. Tail graduated or rounded.

PLATE XXXVII

1. Quiscalus purpureus. ♂ Pa., 1363.

2. Quiscalus aglæus. ♂ Fla., 10342.

3. Corvus caurinus. ♂ Sitka, 46662.

4. Corvus mexicanus. ♂ Mazatlan,

52802.

5. Corvus americanus. ♂ D. C.

6. Corvus carnivorus. ♀ Neb., 4546.

 7. Corvus ossifragus. D. C., 4515.

8. Corvus cryptoleucus. Texas, 46798.

9. Corvus floridanus. Fla., 10374.

Species and Varieties.

RAVENS. Feathers of the chin and throat stiffened, elongated, narrow and lanceolate,
with their outlines very distinct.
1. C. corax var. carnivorus. Length about 25.00; wing, 17.00; tail, 10.00;
graduation of tail, 1.60 to 2.40. Feathers of the neck and breast light gray beneath
surface. Hab. Whole of North America; Guatemala and Mexico. Rare in Eastern
United States.
2. C. cryptoleucus. Length about 21.00; wing, 14.00; tail, 8.50; graduation of tail,
about 1.25. Feathers of neck and breast snowy-white beneath surface. Hab. Llano
Estacado, or Staked Plain of Texas; Arizona; Colorado.
CROWS. Feathers of chin and throat soft, short, broad, obtuse, and with their webs
blended.
A. Angle of mouth feathered—North American Crows.
a. Tarsus longer than the bill. First quill not longer than tenth.
3. C. americanus. The gloss of the plumage purplish-violet, and hardly perceptible
on head and neck, middle toe and claw rather shorter than tarsus, measured from
 beginning of scutellæ.
Wing, 12.25; tail, 7.20; culmen, 1.85; tarsus, 2.00; middle toe, 1.45; wing-
formula, 4, 3, 5, 6, 2; first quill equal to tenth. Hab. North America generally …
var. a m e r i c a n u s .[50]
Wing, 12.50; tail, 7.20; culmen, 2.10; tarsus, 2.30; middle toe, 1.60. Wing-
formula? (moulting). Hab. South Florida … var. f l o r i d a n u s .
4. C. ossifragus. The gloss of plumage violaceous-blue, almost green on the head,
neck, and breast, where very perceptible. Middle toe and claw longer than tarsus,
as above. Wing, 10.50; tail, 6.50; culmen, 1.55; tarsus, 1.65; middle toe, 1.35.
Wing-formula, 4, 3, 5; first quill slightly shorter than tenth. Hab. Atlantic Coast of
the United States.
b. Tarsus shorter than the bill. First quill longer than tenth.
5. C. caurinus. Gloss of the plumage as in americanus, but deeper. Wing, 10.50;
tail, 6.40; culmen, 1.95; tarsus, 1.70; middle toe, 1.25. Wing-formula, 4, 3, 5. Hab.
Northwestern coast of North America.
6. C. mexicanus.[51] Plumage highly lustrous, blended. Soft burnished steel-blue,
changing to violet on the crown, and with a greenish cast on lower parts. Wing,
9.00; tail, 6.50; culmen, 1.60; tarsus, 1.20; middle toe, 1.10. Wing-formula, 4, 3, 5.
First quill very much longer than tenth. Hab. Western Mexico (Mazatlan, etc.).
B. Angle of mouth naked—West Indian Crows.
a. Tarsus much shorter than the bill.
7. C. nasicus.[52] Nostrils scarcely concealed by the short nasal bristles. Entirely
violaceous-black, the feathers smoky-gray beneath the surface. Wing, 11.00; tail,
7.75; culmen, 2.45; depth of bill, .80; tarsus, 1.95; middle toe, 1.50; graduation of
tail about 1.00; wing-formula, 4, 3, 5, 6, 2; first quill shortest. Hab. Cuba.

8. C. leucognaphalus.[53] Nostrils well concealed by the longer, but rather scant,

nasal bristles. Entirely violaceous-black, the feathers of the neck all round, breast
and sides, pure white below the surface. Wing, 12.50; tail, 9.00; culmen, 2.45;
depth of bill, .95; tarsus, 2.15; middle toe, 1.50; graduation of tail about 1.25.
Wing-formula, 4, 5, 3, 6, 2; first quill much the shortest. Hab. Porto Rico.
b. Tarsus about equal to bill.
9. C. jamaicensis.[54] Nostrils just covered by the short but dense tuft of nasal
bristles. Entirely dark sooty-plumbeous, inclining to black on the head, wings, and
tail, where is a very faint violaceous gloss. Wing, 9.50; tail, 6.50; culmen, 2.00;
depth of bill, 1.70; tarsus, 2.05; middle toe, 1.35; graduation of tail, about .60.
Wing-formula, 5, 4, 3, 6, 2; first shortest. Hab. Jamaica.

Corvus corax, var. carnivorus, Bartram.

AMERICAN RAVEN.
Corvus carnivorus, Bartram, Travels in E. Florida, 1793, 290.—Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858, 560, pl. xxi.
—Cooper & Suckley, 210, pl. xxi.—Coues, P. A. N. S. 1866, 225.—Lord, Pr. R. A. Inst. IV, 1864, 121
(British Columbia).—Dall & Bannister, Tr. Ch. Ac. I, 1869, 285 (Alaska).—Cooper, Orn. Cal. I, 1870,
 282.—Samuels, 355. Corvus corax, Wilson, Am. Orn. IX, 1825, 136, pl. lxxv. f. 3.—Bonap. Obs. Wils.
1825, No. 36.—Ib. Syn. 1828, 56.—Doughty, Cab. N. H. I, 1830, 270, pl. xxiv.—Rich. F. B. Am. II,
1831, 290.—Nuttall, Man. I, 1832, 202.—Aud. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 476, pl. ci.—Ib. Syn. 1839, 150.
—Ib. Birds Am. IV. 1842, 78, pl. ccxxiv.—Heerm. X, S, 54.—Finsch, Abh. Nat. III, 1872, 40 (Alaska).
Corvus cacalotl, “Wagler,” ? Bonap. Pr. Zoöl. Soc. 1837, 115 (perhaps true cacalotl).—Ib. List, 1838
(probably not of Wagler).—Ib. Conspectus, 1850, 387.—Maximilian, Reise innere Nord Amer. II,
1841, 289 (does not consider it different from European).—Newberry, P. R. R. Rep. VI, IV, 1857,
82. Corvus lugubris, Agassiz, Pr. Bost. Soc. N. H. II, Dec. 1846, 188.—Ib. Caban. J. VI, 1858, 195.
—Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858, 563, pl. xx.—Kennerly, P. R. R. X., b pl. xxii. Corvus, var. littoralis,
“Holböll, Kroger Tidsk. IV, 1843, 390.”—Schlegel, note on Corvus.
Sp. Char. Fourth quill longest; third and fifth about equal; second between fifth and sixth; first nearly
equal to the eighth. Length, about 24.00 or 25.00; extent, 50.00 to 51.00; wing, about 17.00; tail,
10.00. Tail moderately graduated; the outer feather about 1.60 to 2.40 inches less than the middle.
Entirely glossy black, with burnished violet reflections.
Hab. Entire continent of North America. Rare east of the Mississippi. South to Guatemala.

Though easily distinguishable from the European bird,

the American Raven is so nearly related to it as to be
beyond doubt referrible to it as a variety. The
differences presented in a very large series of both
forms are, however, very constant and tangible. In the
American bird the bill is always longer and less deep,
and the plumage is more highly burnished, while the
wings, especially the secondaries, are perceptibly of a
more reddish violet than the other portions. Though in
an immense series of American specimens many
differences of form and size are noted, yet there is
nothing sufficiently characteristic of any particular
region to indicate more than one variety. As a rule,
however, specimens from the high north exceed in size
those from elsewhere, and have the bill more robust,
though not so short as in the European bird; while
those from the Middle Province and Mexico to
Guatemala (= “cacalotl,” Baird et Auct.) have the
Corvus carnivorus.
plumage more brilliant than others, and frequently the
bill very narrow.
Habits. Assuming that we must consider as but one species the two differing forms of
Raven found in North America, we find this bird more or less common throughout
nearly the whole continent. It is much more abundant in some regions than in
others, and, as a general rule, is much more common and also more generally
distributed in the western portion, where also its habits are remarkably different from
the manners of its eastern representative.
It seems to be more or less common throughout the Arctic regions. Mr. Kennicott
met with Ravens at Lake Winnipeg. Mr. MacFarlane found them abundant at Lockhart
River, at Fort Anderson, and on the Lower Anderson River. Mr. Ross obtained them at
Fort Simpson, Mr. Reid at Big Island, Mr. Clarke at Fort Rae, Mr. Lockhart at Fort
Resolution, and Mr. Dall at Nulato, in Alaska.
Richardson speaks of it as abounding in the fur countries, where it frequents the
barren grounds even in the intense winter cold, and where its movements are
regulated by those of reindeer, musk-oxen, and other animals, which it follows, to
assist in devouring whatever may be killed. Ravens are seen to collect from various
quarters wherever any animal is slain, in order to feast on the offal, and considerable
numbers are in constant attendance upon the several fishing-stations. He mentions a
singular instance of the disposition of this bird to appropriate glittering objects of no
value to it for food or anything else. A Raven was seen flying off with something in
its claws, pursued by a number of its clamorous companions. Having been fired at, it
dropped the object of contention, which proved to be the lock of a chest.
Mr. MacFarlane’s notes in regard to the nesting of these birds describe certain
variations as to position, etc. One nest was on a ledge of a cliff of shale, and was
composed of dry willow sticks, lined with pieces of rabbit skin and the hair of moose.
Both parents were seen,—one on the nest, the other on a tree,—but both flew away
on being approached. A second nest was in the top crotch of a tall pine on the river-
bank. It was made of dry sticks, and thickly lined with reindeer hair. There were
eight eggs in this nest. A third was in a tall pine, and was forty-five feet from the
ground. It was constructed in a manner precisely similar to the preceding. A fourth
was on the top of a tall pine, and only differed in having been lined with dry grass,
moss, and a few reindeer hairs. The other nests appear to have been similarly
situated and constructed. Nearly all were in high trees, built of dry sticks, and lined
with dry grasses, mosses, and the hair of various quadrupeds. The maximum
number of eggs was eight, their average six.
Mr. MacFarlane states that the Raven is found throughout the winter in the Arctic
regions, and that, though he has met with it north of latitude 69°, he has never
known it to breed north of that line. He informs us that it is seldom that more than a
single pair is to be seen at a time, and occasionally they may be noted singly, flying
alone, or feeding on garbage. Sometimes a dead fox or wolf will attract quite a
number to the spot. On one occasion he observed as many as twenty Ravens
amicably associated together around the carcasses of two wolves that had been
poisoned with strychnine. In many cases he has known the partaking of a poisoned
animal prove fatal to them, as also the eating of bait laid for foxes and wolves.
According to this same correspondent, one of these birds became almost
domesticated at Fort Anderson, during February and March, 1865. At first it fed
about the fort with a companion; soon after, coming alone, it grew bolder and bolder,
alighted within the square, allowed itself to be closely approached, where the young
dogs soon became familiar with it, and would even frolic and gambol with it, the
Raven joining heartily in the sport in its own way. It was never known to attempt to
injure even the smallest of the young dogs, nor did any of the dogs ever offer to
annoy it. It at length came to be considered by all as an inmate of the establishment.
While it seemed to have full confidence in the people of the fort, it kept at a careful
distance from all Indian or Esquimaux visitors.
Mr. B. R. Ross speaks of Ravens as common as far north as the Arctic Ocean. They
feed on carrion, and act as scavengers to the establishments. Their sight is
remarkably keen, and the sagacity with which they follow the trapper is wonderful.
Early as the hunter may start, these harpies will have been before him, and torn out
the eyes and entrails of each hare. They will break into marten-traps for the sake of
the bait or the captured animal, thrusting aside or pulling out with their beaks the
sticks that compose the enclosure. Sometimes they are caught in steel traps that are
set for foxes, or eat the strychnine baits laid for the same animals, and slowly
succumb to this powerful poison. Their flesh is so rank that even a fox, unless sorely
pressed by hunger, will not eat it. They pair in April, and usually construct their nests
in the loftiest trees. They have various call-notes, one of which is like that of the
Canada Goose, and another is said by Mr. Ross to be very liquid and musical.
Mr. Dall states that these birds were abundant all the year at Nulato, and indeed
everywhere throughout Alaska, but much more common near the Indian villages and
trading-posts than elsewhere. They build on the sandstone cliffs at Nulato, in cavities
that have been occupied for years. They lay about the 20th of April, and the young
are hatched before open water. He also speaks of them as very intelligent, and states
that on several expeditions made to obtain their eggs, the instant he stopped at the
foot of the bluff the whole colony would arrange themselves on the edge of the rock
in anxious consultation, uttering repeated cries of warning. On one occasion, where
the nest was inaccessible and the party went back unsuccessful, their departure was
announced by significant and joyous croaks and derisive screeches. Ravens were also
found by Mr. Bannister common all the year on the small islands lying off the
northeast point of St. Michaels.
In the Eastern States the Raven is a comparatively rare bird, except in a few special
localities. These are usually mountain-ranges, high precipitous banks of rivers and
lakes and of the ocean, and among wild and lonely islands. It occurs on the Labrador
coast, at Grand Menan in the Bay of Fundy, the Adirondacks, Lake George, the
Hudson River, etc. Mr. Lawrence speaks of it as quite common on the coast of New
Jersey. It is found among the mountains of Buncombe and other counties in North
Carolina, and Mr. Audubon mentions its occurrence at Table Mountain, in the district
of Pendleton, South Carolina. Dr. Coues found Ravens not rare at Labrador, where
the almost inaccessible cliffs afford them safe and convenient retreats. They were so
excessively wary that it was found impossible to shoot them. They descended in
pairs to the sea-shore to feed on dead fish, crabs, and other animal substances
thrown up by the sea.
Mr. Ridgway informs me of the presence of this bird in the heavy forests of the
bottom-lands in Southern Illinois. It is there quite rare, however, as he has met with
but a few pairs. These were resident, and nested in the tall timber of the Big Creek
bottoms, in Richland Co.
Audubon’s party found it equally impossible to obtain a specimen at Labrador. One
afternoon Mr. Audubon hid himself under a nest several hours, to no purpose. The
old Ravens would not show themselves while he was within gunshot, though the
young clamored for food. As soon as he had left the spot the female alighted on the
nest, fed her young, and was off again before she could be approached.
At Grand Menan, where they are not rare, and where they breed among the high
cliffs, I found them so wild that it was almost impossible even to obtain sight of
them. Passing high in the air above our heads, their loud, hoarse croak attested their
alarm at the sight of their enemy, man. They are looked upon with aversion by the
islanders, and are persecuted by them without mercy. They rob the nests of the
Herring Gulls, interfering with the islanders in this privilege, and are, wrongfully I
believe, charged with destroying young lambs.
Years afterwards, when I again encountered individuals of this species at Cheyenne,
on the Plains, I could not but notice the immense difference in their character. There
perfect confidence in man took the place of dread. Unmolested by the people, who
regard them as desirable scavengers, valueless for food and useful in removing
nuisances, they were as tame and familiar as the European Sparrow in the parks of
New York or Boston. On one occasion I found one engaged in eating the remains of
a dead cow just outside the city. It allowed me to approach to within five or six feet,
when with a very stately and dignified stride it moved out of my way, and kept me at
about this distance. I could not compel it to fly to any distance, even when I
hastened my steps.
In New England these birds are very rare, and their occurrence is only accidental.
One has been shot on the Connecticut, and another on the Merrimack, in
Massachusetts. They are not unfrequently met with in Northern New York.
On the Pacific Coast the Raven is common from Sitka to San Diego. Throughout
Washington Territory it is said to be plentiful, more scattered in the summer, and in
the winter congregating about settlements and the sea-shore. At Vancouver, during
the winter, it was observed amicably associating with the Crows, and on the coast
with the Fish Crows, but during the spring, when the latter had nests, they boldly
attacked the Ravens, and drove them away.
In California and in all the adjacent regions, Dr. Cooper states, the Raven is found
everywhere in pairs, more numerous than in the Atlantic States, and abundant even
in the most barren desert districts. It follows trains and herds of cattle, and keeps on
the lookout for anything befalling them. It is omnivorous, eating snakes, lizards,
eggs, carrion, and even grain, though the last very rarely. It is accused of destroying
young chickens and lambs.
In Arizona Dr. Coues speaks of it as resident, and very abundant about the cattle
enclosures, where it congregates in immense numbers during the autumn and
winter. During the severe winter of 1864-65 great numbers perished of cold and
hunger at Fort Whipple. Dr. Coues has favored us with the following interesting
sketch of the habits of this bird as observed by him in that Territory.
“The geographical distribution of the Raven seems to be in great measure
complementary to that of the Crow. On the prairies, in the desert, among
the mountains, of the Western States and Territories, where the Ravens and
their congenial companions, the coyotes, abound, the Crows are rare or
wanting altogether. In travelling westward, I saw no Crows after leaving the
settlements this side of the Plains, while the Ravens were conspicuous, until
in some parts of Southern California Crows reappeared, but no Ravens
amongst them. I saw a fair number of Ravens along the Arkansas River, and
they were frequent in the valley of the Rio Grande; after crossing the river,
while traversing the wild region thence to the Colorado, they were our
inseparable companions; hundreds, if not thousands, of them lived about
Fort Whipple all the year, seemingly attracted from miles around by
probabilities of finding abundant food. Throughout the Western wilds they
hang on the footsteps of man, needy adventurers, claiming their share of his
spoils, disputing with the wolves and vultures for the refuse of his camp,
and polishing the skeletons of the buffalo, with which he sometimes strews
the plain. The more desolate the land, the closer the Raven follows in the
trail of the emigrant, till its dismal croaking sounds ominous of hardship, and
its plumage seems to foreshadow days as dark.
“One accustomed to the shrewdness and prudence of Crows in populous
districts is at first surprised at an apparent familiarity the Raven often shows
in the West. There no one would think of wasting ammunition on the
worthless bird, and it comes to look upon man more as its provider than as
an enemy. Nevertheless, like the rest of its tribe, the Raven is a sagacious
bird, not likely to be twice deceived, and very ready to take a hint; he
always has his wits about him, and keeps a bright lookout when anything
stranger than a coyote is near. This wariness is something altogether
different from the childlike timidity of little birds like Sparrows, that scurry
away in terror from any unusual sight or sound, and unquestionably implies
keen powers of observation coupled with no small degree of reasoning
faculty. Almost every day during the winter of 1864-65 I must have passed
within a few paces of Ravens stalking about the fort; and yet, when I
wanted a specimen, it was not an easy matter to secure one. The birds
assuredly knew the difference between a person going quietly about his
business and one “on mischief bent,” and their intelligent watchfulness
rendered it quite impossible to approach them openly with gun in hand.
“Ravens are resident in the region about Fort Whipple, and their apparently
diminished number in summer is simply due to the fact that they are then
spread over a greater surface, are less restless, and better provided for in
the matter of food. In winter, and especially when snow covered the ground,
their numbers at the fort were simply incalculable. They dotted the ground
everywhere during the day, and roosted in crowds on the neighboring pines
by night. One patriarchal tree, that stood somewhat isolated, was a favorite
resting-place for the Ravens and Buzzards, and gradually assumed a singular
appearance, as if it had been whitewashed. This great pine overlooked a
little open space where our beeves were slaughtered, and the banqueting
there was never ended. All night long the wolves howled and barked as they
tugged at the offal, till daylight sent them reluctant to their rocky fastnesses,
when the great dark birds, with a premonitory stretching of the wings,
flapped down to renew the feast. The Ravens and Buzzards seemed to get
along very well together, quarrelling no more with each other than each
species did with its own kind; but in the occasional disputes the smaller
birds seemed to have rather the advantage of the heavier and clumsier
gluttons. This comparative good-fellowship was in striking contrast to the
behavior of Crows towards Turkey Buzzards.
“The Raven is not, on the whole, so noisy a bird as the Crow, though he
croaks vigorously on occasion, and his caw may claim to be impressive, if
not agreeable. But the queer sounds that the bird can utter, if he be so
minded, are indescribable; even his ordinary cawing is susceptible of
considerable modulation. A favorite amusement of his, when, his hunger
appeased for the time, he feels particularly comfortable, is to settle snugly
on the top of a pine-tree, and talk to himself. The performance generally
begins with a loud caw, self-asserting, followed by a complacent chuckle;
and then comes a series of comical syllables, so low as to be scarcely
audible from the ground below, as if he were musing aloud, and tickled with
his own fancies. Then he will raise his voice again, and file away at some old
saw for a while, finishing with the inimitable ‘cork-drawing’ for which his
tribe is famous.
“A Raven that I had slightly wounded in the wing and captured soon became
quite tame, and developed a variety of amusing traits. Proving rather
obtrusive and inconvenient in my narrow quarters, I undertook to tie him in
a corner with a string round his leg. This he objected to, and it was
astonishing to see the perseverance he showed in untying any number of
knots I might make. It was a task that sometimes took him hours, but he
never rested until it was done. I had no chain light enough for the purpose,
 but I finally got the better of him by twisting a wire with the cord. His
intelligence did not reach in that direction more than six inches from his leg.”
Mr. Dresser observed the Raven common at San Antonio, frequenting the slaughter-
houses. In November, in the Baudera Hills, several came to his camp to feast on the
offal of deer. Dr. Woodhouse also found them very abundant in Texas, the Indian
Territory, and New Mexico, and especially so on the buffalo plains. In the Mexican
Boundary Survey, Dr. Kennerly observed these birds everywhere in Northern Mexico,
flocks of them following the train from point to point. They were not at all shy, but
often came into camp in search of food.
Captain Blakiston, having enjoyed unusual opportunities for observing the habits of
the American Raven during his residence in high northern regions, characterizes the
species as anything but solitary. During the day they are usually met with in pairs,
except when drawn together in large numbers around the carcass of a dead animal.
At night, during the winter, they repair to some chosen resting-place, usually a clump
of trees on the edge of a prairie, and there roost in one immense body. One of these
roosting-places was about a mile from Fort Carlton, and Captain Blakiston’s attention
was first drawn to it by noticing that about sunset all the Ravens, from all quarters,
were flying towards this point. Returning to the fort in the evening by that quarter,
he found a clump of aspen-trees, none of them more than twenty-five feet high,
filled with Ravens, who, at his approach, took wing and flew round and round. He
also noted the wonderful regularity with which they repaired to their roosting-place
in the evening and left it again in the morning, by pairs, on their day’s hunt. They
always left in the morning, within a minute or two of the same time, earlier and
earlier as the days grew longer, on cold or cloudy mornings a little later, usually just
half an hour before sunrise. In April they all paired off, and their roosting-place
became deserted. During an excursion about one hundred and fifty miles southwest
of Fort Carlton, Captain Blakiston found several nests of Ravens with eggs, one of
which was in a small tree near a lake, and was not more than fifteen feet above it. It
contained six eggs, was about a foot in diameter, composed of sticks, and was lined
with buffalo-hair and pieces of scarlet cloth, evidently picked up about an Indian
camping-ground.
Dr. Heermann states that while in California he always found the nests of the Raven
placed high on bold precipitous cliffs, secure against danger; in the vast desolate
plains of New Mexico he saw these birds building on low trees, and even on cactus-
plants, less than three feet from the ground, showing how much circumstances and
localities affect the habits of birds regarding incubation.
A Raven, probably this species, is abundant on the plateau of Mexico. The Cerro
Colorado, near Tehuacan, is the rendezvous of a large number of these birds, where,
according to Sumichrast, at the time of the flowering of the maguey, they gather in
great abundance, to feed on the blossoms of this plant, which are their favorite food.
Mr. Boardman writes me that he has several times collected Ravens’ eggs at Grand
Menan, but always found the nest a hard one to take, as they usually build it under
some high cliff. They make a very large and bulky nest, and, where not disturbed,
use it several years in succession. They also breed very early. He once took a nest
with eight eggs on the 10th of April, when the snow all around was quite deep. This
was sent to the Smithsonian Institution. Its contents nearly filled a bushel basket. He
does not regard the Ravens as migratory. Though they are apparently more
numerous in winter than in summer, this is probably because they forsake the woods
and come about the open fields and the banks of rivers for dead fish, and thus are
more noticed. They are very shy, sagacious, and vigilant, so much so that it is almost
impossible for one to get a shot at them. Crows avoid them, and the two are never
seen together. The farmers of Grand Menan accuse them of pecking the eyes out of
young lambs, and always try to destroy them, and they grow less and less numerous
every year. The Ravens, he adds, appear to be on good terms with the Duck Hawks,
as he has known a nest of the former within a few rods of one of the latter.
An egg of this species, from Anderson River, measures 1.96 inches in length by 1.32
in breadth. Two from Grand Menan measure, one 2.05 inches by 1.30, the other 1.95
by 1.25. The ground-color of two of these is a soiled sea-green, that of the third is a
light bluish-green. This is more sparingly marked with dots, blotches, and cloudings
of faint purple and purplish-brown, chiefly at the larger end. The others are marked
over the entire egg with blotches of varying size and depth of coloring, of a deep
purple-brown; some of the markings are not readily distinguishable from black.

Corvus cryptoleucus, Couch.

WHITE-NECKED CROW.
Corvus cryptoleucus, Couch, Pr. A. N. Sc. VII, April, 1854, 66 (Tamaulipas, Mexico).—Baird, Birds N.
Am. 1858, 565 pl. xxii.—Cooper, Orn. Cal. I, 1870, 284.
Sp. Char. The fourth quill is longest; the third and fifth equal; the second longer than the sixth; the
first about equal to the seventh. Glossy black, with violet reflections; feathers of neck all round, back,
and breast, snow-white at the base. Length, about 21.00; wing, 14.00; tail, 8.50. Feathers of throat
lanceolate; bristly feathers along the base of the bill covering it for nearly two thirds its length.
Hab. Valley of Rio Grande and Gila. Abundant on the Llano Estacado, and at Eagle Pass, Texas
(Dresser, Ibis, 1865, 494). Colorado (Aiken).

In the white bases to the feathers of the neck, etc., there is a resemblance in this
species to the C. leucognaphalus of Porto Rico; but the latter has entirely different
proportions, blended instead of lanceolate feathers on the throat, exceedingly short
instead of unusually long nasal plumes, and many other differences, and is in every
feature totally distinct.
Habits. Of the distinctive habits or the extent of the distribution of the White-necked
Raven we have very little knowledge. It was first described by Lieutenant Couch, in
1854, from specimens obtained by him at Charco Escondido, Mexico, in May, 1853.
Other specimens were afterwards procured by Dr. Kennerly, at Janos, Mexico, in
1855, and by Mr. Dresser at Eagle Pass, Texas, in March, 1864. The latter gives no
notes as to its habits.
Dr. Kennerly’s note in regard to it is that it was not very common, and when seen
was generally associated with the larger species of Raven. Lieutenant Couch merely
mentions it as found in small numbers in Eastern Tamaulipas, generally near ranches.
Mr. J. H. Clark writes that this species does not seem to possess the cunning or
wariness of its congeners. It was met with, in the greatest abundance, about
watering-places. It was not found habitually in great flocks, though at the head of
the Limpia many were congregated and flying about the face of an immense rocky
mountain wall, where they were probably nesting. Their note he describes as coarse,
and less shrill than that of the common Crow. He met with the supposed nest in an
arborescent cactus.
Dr. Coues does not appear to have met with this species in Arizona, but Lieutenant
Bendire writes to Professor Baird from Tucson, April 12, 1872, that it is the most
common Crow or Raven there. This he discovered accidentally, finding that three
fourths of the Ravens he shot proved to be of this species; the others were the
Colorado race of the Raven. Specimens of this Crow were obtained at Fort Buchanan
by Dr. Irwin, at Pecos River by Dr. Anderson, and in the Indian Territory by Mr.
McCarthy.
An egg of this species, from Trout Creek, Texas, obtained June 20 by Charles S.
McCarthy, measures 1.75 inches in length by 1.25 in breadth. The ground-color is a
light grayish-green, and is pretty uniformly marked with fine dottings of mingled
purple and brown.

Corvus americanus, Aud.

COMMON CROW.
Corvus corone, Wilson, Am. Orn. IV, 1811, 79 pl. xxv, f. 3.—Bon. Obs. Wils. 1824, No. 37.—Ib. Syn.
1828, 56.—Rich. F. B. Am. II, 1831, 291.—Nuttall, Man. I, 1832, 209 (not Corvus corone ofLinn.).
Corvus americanus, Aud. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 317; V, 477, pl. clvi.—Ib. Syn. 1839, 150.—Ib. Birds
Am. IV, 1842, 87, pl. ccxxv.—Bon. List, 1838.—Ib. Consp. 1850, 385.—Nuttall, Man. I, (2d ed.,)
1840, 221.—Maxim. Reise, I, 1839, 140.—Newberry, Zoöl. Cal. & Or. Route, P. R. R. Rep. VI, IV,
1857, 82.—Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858, 566, pl. xxiii.—Max. Caban. J. VI, 1858, 198.—Schlegel,
Notice sur les Corbeaux, 10, pl. I, f. 16.—Coues, P. A. N. S. 1861, 226.—Samuels, 357.—Allen, B. E.
Fla. 297 (in part).
Sp. Char. Fourth quill longest; second shorter than sixth; first shorter than ninth. Glossy black with
violet reflections, even on the belly. Length, 19.00 to 20.00; wing, 13.00 to 13.50; tail about 8.00.
Tarsus longer than the middle toe and claw.
Hab. United States, from Atlantic to Pacific; rare in the Middle Province and on Missouri Plains, and on
northwest coast. N. E. Texas (Dresser, Ibis, 1865, 494). North to Great Slave Lake, Fort Rae, and
Nelson River, H. B. T.
The C. americanus has no analogue in Europe, though the C. corone somewhat
resembles it. The most important feature of distinction appears to lie in the structure
of the feathers of the head and neck, which in C. corone are narrow, with the tips
distinct, while in the American bird these tips are blended together and do not
maintain their individuality. The feathers on the fore-neck in corone are also
lanceolate and distinct, showing the outline of each one as in the Raven, while in the
American Crow they are three times as broad, rounded, and entirely blended. Mr.
Audubon further remarks that the neck of the European bird is glossed with green
and blue, while that of the American has a decided purplish-brown tinge.
Prince Maximilian states, in addition, that the note differs in the two species.
Habits. The Common Crow of North America is found in great abundance in all the
Eastern States, from Texas to Florida, and from the Missouri to Nova Scotia. A few
are found beyond the Great Plains, and they also extend their migrations, in summer,
into high Arctic regions. Richardson found them as far north as the 55th parallel, but
was in error when he stated that beyond this they do not go. He adds that none
approach within five or six hundred miles of Hudson’s Bay. They were observed at
Cross Lake and at Lake Winnepeg by Mr. Kennicott, at Big Island by Mr. Reid, at Fort
Rae by Mr. Clarke, and at Fort Anderson and on the Lower Anderson River by Mr.
MacFarlane, who also found them breeding even at this high latitude. They were not
seen in Russian America, and Dr. Cooper thinks that the species does not occur in
California, or, if at all, only rarely, but that it is there replaced by C. caurinus.
Mr. Ridgway found the Crow of very rare occurrence in the interior. A very few were
seen in the Truckee meadows, in November, and others at the Humboldt marshes, in
October. These western birds were exceedingly unsuspicious and familiar, so much so
that those seen in the Humboldt marshes were walking about with all the familiarity
of domestic pigeons, only hopping aside as they were approached. None were seen
either in spring or summer.
In Western Iowa Mr. Allen states that he saw but very few of this species, and even
in Northern Illinois it was not very common. At the West this bird is reported to be
held in better estimation than at the East, by the farmers. It is not known to pull
corn, and seems to be entirely unsuspicious. It is regarded generally as a benefactor,
and not only deserves, but receives, good treatment. In Indiana he found it more
common.
Dr. Coues met with a single individual on the Labrador coast. In Nova Scotia it is
much more abundant, and there, as on the Western prairies, being unmolested by
the inhabitants, it is exceedingly unsuspicious, and will permit a very near approach
before it will fly, and even then will not move to a distance. In all of the United
States east of the Mississippi it is very abundant. In Texas, between San Antonio and
the Mexican frontier, it is not common; but Mr. Dresser found it very common in the
northeast part of the State during the whole year.
Probably no one of our birds, so wholly worthless for food, has been more hunted
and destroyed than this species. In certain parts of the country it is held in great
aversion by the farmers, and in some States bounty-laws have been enacted by
legislatures to promote its destruction. Had not these birds been possessed of an
extraordinary intelligence, they must long since have been exterminated or driven
from a large part of the country. In some sections their numbers have been of late
much diminished by the use of strychnine. During the month of May the Crow is very
destructive in the cornfield, pulling up the grains as soon as they begin to vegetate,
and compelling the farmer to replant perhaps several times. Wilson remarks that in
the State of Delaware these birds collect in immense flocks and commit great
devastation upon crops of standing corn. They also occasionally commit depredations
in the barn-yard, robbing hens’-nests of their eggs, and even destroying young
chickens. They also destroy the eggs and young of other birds. The mischief they
thus do is doubtless very great, and the ground for the prevalent prejudice against
them is quite apparent. Yet it is equally demonstrable that this bird is surpassed, and
probably is equalled, by no other in the vast amount of the benefits conferred upon
agriculturalists. The evil it perpetrates is very limited, and is confined to but a short
period, but during all the time it is resident the Crow is constantly engaged in the
destruction of injurious insects and rodent quadrupeds. In the early spring it feeds
almost wholly upon the most destructive grubs, and in extensive districts of
Massachusetts, where these birds have been largely destroyed, the ravages of the
May-bugs and the grasshoppers in pasture-lands have been a natural consequence
of so short-sighted a policy.
The persecutions to which the Crow is subjected have developed in them a wariness
and a distrust that is foreign to their nature. They can only live by keeping on a
constant lookout for dangers, and by learning to distinguish the weapons that
threaten their destruction. As soon as anything is seen that causes alarm, the signal
is at once given, and the warning passed from one to another.
In New Jersey and in Pennsylvania, during the winter months, the Crows assemble in
immense flocks, and their movements appear to be regulated by the guidance of a
few chosen leaders. I received from the lips of the late John Cassin, an ornithologist
hardly less remarkable for his outdoor observations than for his researches in the
closet, only a few days before his death, a very surprising account of the movements
of a large army of Crows, witnessed by himself, in the spring of 1868.
On a Sunday morning in April, when Philadelphia was enveloped in a fog so dense
and impenetrable that it was hardly possible to distinguish objects across its streets,
Mr. Cassin’s attention was called to an immense accumulation of these birds in
Independence Square. The whole park he found, to his utter astonishment, occupied
by an immense army of Crows. They filled all the trees, bending down the
overloaded branches, and swarmed over and covered the ground. The entire space
seemed alive with Crows. They had evidently become bewildered in the fog, and had
strangely taken refuge in this small park in the very heart of Philadelphia. As if aware
of their close proximity to danger, the whole assembly was quiet, orderly, and silent.
A few birds, evidently acting as leaders, moved noiselessly back and forth through
their ranks, as if giving tacit signals. These movements were followed by the
departure of a few scouts, as if sent to make explorations, but they soon returned
unsuccessful. Again were repeated the uneasy movements of their leaders, passing
slowly and cautiously through their close ranks. After an apparently much longer
consultation, another small party ascended to explore, wheeling round and round in
wider and wider zones. At length, satisfied with their observations, they quietly
returned, and made their report in a manner evidently understood, though not
audibly expressed; for immediately the leaders passed again among the crowd, and,
as if signals were given for a general movement, the whole of this immense
congregation, numbering, Mr. Cassin estimated, hundreds of thousands, rose slowly
and silently, preceded by their scouts, and, moving off in a westerly direction, were
soon lost to view.
When taken young, the Crow can be easily domesticated, and becomes a very
entertaining, but a very mischievous pet. It is very secretive, hiding objects of no
value to itself, and seems to delight in mischief. It displays often a wonderful
intelligence, appears to understand and to obey certain directions, and manifests
also remarkable quickness of vision. A tame Crow belonging to a family resident near
Boston, and permitted to go at large, manifested all the attachment of a dog. It
especially enjoyed the society of the children, and played with them in their games
of hide and seek, surpassing them by its readiness in finding the secreted object. It
was especially attached to the mistress of the house, flying to her whenever she
approached, hovering over her head, and alighting on her shoulder.
In a few instances the Crow has been taught to imitate articulate sounds. In one of
these, in Grafton, Mass., the Crow not only vociferated a single monosyllable
repeatedly, but at other times enunciated a short sentence of five syllables.
A few are resident in Massachusetts during the year, but the greater portion move
south in November and return in March. Those who remain during the winter are
chiefly resident near the sea-shore. The Crow breeds from April to June, varying with
the latitude of its residence. In Massachusetts it has full-grown young by June 1. It
builds, usually in March, a large rudely constructed nest of sticks, moss, and bark,
lined with finer mosses, and sometimes with hair. The parent birds are very watchful
and vigilant if their nest is in danger, and often expose their lives in their anxiety for
their young. The male bird is attentive to his mate during incubation, and assists in
feeding the young. The young are fed chiefly on insects, frogs, mice, and similar
food.
The eggs of the Crow vary from 1.60 to 1.55 inches in length, and from 1.20 to 1.10
in breadth. In their markings they exhibit surprising variations. They usually have a
ground of a light sea-green, over which are scattered, more or less thickly, blotches,
some of them quite large, of a dark-brown, almost black, with purplish reflections.
These are chiefly about the larger end. Another quite common variety is of a deeper
ground of green, very uniformly and thickly sprinkled with fine dottings of a sepia-
brown. Others have a ground nearly white, slightly tinged with green, more sparingly
spotted with small blotches of light purplish-brown. A nest found near Springfield
contained eggs having the ground-color on one side a pinkish-gray, the rest being
greenish-white, all spotted with brown. Another set of eggs from Hudson, Mass.,
were of a light bluish-green, entirely unspotted, resembling large Robin’s eggs; and
Dr. Wood mentions another four, the ground of which was flesh-color, and the spots
red.

Corvus americanus, var. floridanus, Baird.

FLORIDA CROW.
Corvus americanus, var. floridanus, Baird, Birds N. Am. 568, pl. lxvii, f. 1. C. americanus, Allen, B. E.
Fla. 297.
Sp. Char. About the size of C. americanus, but bill and feet larger. Tail less rounded. Third, fourth, and
fifth quills nearly equal; third rather longer than fifth. Color less violet above. Length, 19.50; wing,
12.00; tail, 7.70; tarsus, 2.60.
Hab. Southern peninsula of Florida.

This resident Crow of Florida differs in some marked features from that of the more
northern localities in several characters. Although perhaps rather smaller, the bill and
feet, especially the latter, are very considerably larger. The nasal feathers extend
over the basal two fifths of the bill, instead of the half. The proportions of the bill are
about the same; in the Florida bird it is rather the longer. The greatest difference is
in the feet. The tarsal joint of the tibia is bare, the feathers scarcely coming below it,
even anteriorly, instead of projecting some distance. The tarsus is almost a quarter
of an inch longer, covered anteriorly by nine scutellæ, instead of eight. The outer
lateral toe is shorter, not reaching the base of the middle claw. The middle toe and
claw are considerably shorter than the tarsus; the middle claw is shorter than in the
northern bird.
The wing-formula differs somewhat; the third, fourth, and fifth quills are nearly
equal, the third even longer than the fifth, instead of shorter. The tail is short and
very nearly even, the difference in length of feathers being less than half an inch,
instead of an inch. This, however, may in part be owing to the absence of the middle
pair.
The colors differ somewhat from those of the common Crow. There is less violet, and
the feathers of the back have almost a brassy gloss on their margins, as in
Crotophaga.
The specimen upon which these remarks are based, though apparently perfectly
mature, is changing some of its feathers, such as the inner primaries, the middle tail-
feathers, and the greater coverts. The long primaries and ten tail-feathers, however,
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