NORTH-WESTERN FISH CROWS. 69 



the forests to the seacoasts during the winter 

 months, when they live entirely on molluscs, 

 crustaceans, dead fish, or anything else procur- 

 able from Neptune's realms. 



A near relative arrives at the same time, and 

 takes up its quarters in the thick scrubby white 

 thorns the North-western Fish Crow (Corvus 

 caurinus, Baird). This much smaller crow Dr. 

 Baird has described in his valuable book on 

 North American Birds (page 569). But he says, 

 in finishing his specific descriptions, ' Indeed, it 

 is almost a question whether it is more than a 

 dwarfed race of the other species.' 



I have not the slightest doubt that it is a dis- 

 tinct species, although so very like the Barking 

 Crow in all its essential features, as far as colour, 

 form of bill, scaling of tarsi, and other de- 

 tails are concerned. The much smaller size, 

 difference in voice, and habit of constructing a 

 domed nest lined with mud, are constant cha- 

 racters of sufficient value to justify Dr. Baird's 

 specific difference. These small crows are prin- 

 cipally found on the seacoast, retiring to the 

 trees to sleep and caw during high-tide ; follow- 

 ing out its ebb, and receding before its flood, 

 they feast on any marine provender they may be 

 lucky enough to find. They never make such a 



