46 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [1893. 



rial to show how far obscurus reaches eastward, nor just where the 

 western range of eapitalis terminates. 



164. (?) Corvus corax sinuatus. American Raven. 



Ravens were abundant in the Cascades, rare in the Bonaparte 

 Valley, at Lac La Hache and at Vernon, but at Nelson became 

 abundant again. One specimen secured at the latter place 

 approaches more nearly to sinuatus than principalis, the latter being 

 given by Mr. Fannin for British Columbia. 



165. Corvus americanus. | w ,, , n 



, Northwest Crow. 

 Corvus caurinus. ) 



On the west coast crows are abundant. In the interior of British 

 Columbia they are found in diminished numbers. Their habits and 

 voices are essentially the same. In size they are extremely variable, 

 the smallest individuals being found on the shores of the Pacific, 

 the larger ones coming from the interior of British Columbia. 

 These are connected by an unbroken series of intergrades. In col- 

 oration they are also variable, many specimens of both large and 

 small birds differing but slightly from americanus of the east, but 

 the average of all British Columbia specimens is less glossy than 

 that of eastern birds, the reflections being confined chiefly to head, 

 neck and wing coverts, and often lacking on lower parts. Large 

 and small birds pair together, both east and west of the Cascades. 

 Average measurements of northwest crows, as compared with those 

 of birds from the Atlantic slope are decidedly less. These facts not 

 only confirm Baird's theory that caurinus is a " dwarfed race " of 

 americanus, but show that they, together with the larger crows of 

 the northwest, should be separated from Corvus americanus of the 

 east under the name Corvus americanus caurinus. A detailed dis- 

 cussion of the relationships of the birds in question, with tables of 

 comparative measurements, is contained in the Auk for January, 

 1893. 



166. Picicorvus columbianus. Clarke's Nuteracker. 



Extending from the summits of Cascades to the summits of 

 Rocky Mountains in summer. Rare at Clinton and Lac La Hache 

 but wintering wherever found. The Indians declare they breed in 

 February and again in July. 



167. Molothrus ater. Cowbird. 



A young male was shot at Vernon. Mr. D. McKinley reports 

 them as occasionally visiting the cattle corrals at Lac La Hache. 



