BIRDS OF NEW YORK 213 



still breeds, but in constantly diminishing numbers. Formerly it was 

 well distributed throughout the State, before the virgin forest was destroyed. 

 In 1 8 10, when Dewitt Clinton visited the western counties, he saw great 

 numbers of ravens on the borders on Seneca lake near the village of Geneva 

 and was told that no crows had made their appearance in that part of the 

 country (see Clinton, Intro. Dis. before the Lit. and Phil. Soc. New York, 

 May 4, 1814). One hundred years from this date, or in 1910, the Raven 

 had been unknown for many years by the inhabitants of Ontario county 

 and the common Crow had been for 50 years an abundant resident of all 

 the surrounding country. Such is the history of the Raven and the Crow 

 in all portions of New York. 



Habits. In habits the Raven is more sedate and retiring than the 

 Crow, walks with an easy graceful air, is more deliberate and dignified. 

 On the wing he sails more than the Crow, and the wing stroke is peculiar, 

 at once attracting the eye as decidedly different from the flight of its 

 commoner relative. His notes are a low, gurgling chuckle, or a hoarse 

 rolling cr-r-r-cruck, sometimes cra-ack, cra-a-ck, varied by deep grunting 

 koe-rr-koerr (Bendire). This description of its notes enabled me to identify 

 the Raven at once long before it was seen, in the region of Lake Nipissing 

 and in the Adirondack forest. 



The Raven's breeding site is on cliffs or trees. The nest is compact, 

 symmetrical, made of sticks and weed stalks, lined with grasses, hair, 

 wool and other soft materials. It is usually occupied year after year. 

 The eggs have been found to vary from 2 to 7 in number, and resemble 

 those of the Crow, but average 1.75 by 1.2 inches in dimensions. 



The food of the Raven is offal or refuse of any kind such as dead fish 

 and other animals. In the North Woods it is a common experience to- 

 find ravens about the spot where deer have been killed and " dressed." 

 They feed also on young birds, frogs, mice etc., but there seems to be no 

 likelihood that ravens will ever be common enough in New York to receive 

 economic consideration. There is rather cause to fear that this famous 

 and picturesque bird will disappear entirely from the State domains. 



