282 



CROWS, JAYS, MAGPIES, ETC. 



fields is to soak some corn in tar and scatter it on the borders of the 



* 



field subject to their attacks. A few quarts of corn used in this 

 way will protect a field of eight or ten acres. This is worth while 

 because of the amount of good the crow does by destroying insect 

 pests and field mice, rabbits, and other harmful rodents. 



489. Corvus caurinus Baird. NORTHWEST CROW. 



Black, upper parts glossed with dull violet. Length : 10-17. wing 10.10- 

 11.50, tail 5.DO-7.00, exposed culraen 1.60-1.90. 



Remarks. The northwest crow differs from the American crow in 

 smaller size. 



Distribution. Coast districts from Sitka to Oregon. 



Nest. In a crotch, 10 to 18 feet from the ground, made of fine sticks 

 and mud. lined with cedar bark. Eggs : usually 4 or 5, like those of 

 americanus, but smaller. 



Food. Mussels, fish, and berries. 



On the Makah Indian Reservation at Neah Bay near Cape Flat- 

 tery I was much impressed by the sight of these small crows fear- 

 lessly walking or flying about on the beach among the long-beaked 

 boats of the Indians, where they picked up dead fish and refuse 

 with the assurance of chickens or pampered pets. . They are said to 

 contend with the dogs for possession of the refuse fish on the beach, 

 and even go so far as to carry off fish from poles on the housetops 

 where the Indians have left them to dry. Their good offices as 

 scavengers are especially appreciated about salmon canneries and 

 rivers when the salmon are running. 



GENUS NUCIFRAGA. 

 Subgenus Picicorvus. 



491. Nucifraga columbiana ( JH/.s.). CLARKE NUTCRACKER. 

 Bill cylindrical, nostrils concealed by a tuft of feathers ; wings long and 



pointed, folding to the end of 

 tail ; tail little over half as long 

 as wing : tarsus shorter than 

 middle toe and claw ; claws 

 large, sharp, and much curved. 



- Idults. Body ash gray, whiter 

 on forehead and chin ; wings 

 black, with white patch on sec- 

 ondaries ; tail with middle feath- 

 ers black, outer ones white. 

 Young: similar, but colors duller 

 and upper parts brownish gray ; 

 under parts brownish ash indis- 

 tinctly barred. Length : 12-lo. 

 wing 7. 10-8.00, tail 5.10-5.40. 



Distribution. -- Breeds in Cana- 



j,,.^ ..^ () dian and Hudsonian zones in the 



mountainous parts of western 



North America from Alaska south to New Mexico and Arizona, and from 



