155 



The Canada Jay has most of the characteristics of the Blue Jay in an 

 exaggerated form. Every camper in the northern woods knows Whiskey 

 Jack. No sooner is a new camp fire Hghted than it appears, looking 

 expectantly for waste scraps. The offal from dressed game is eagerly 

 sought and hardly has the sound of the rifle shot died away before the 

 Whiskey Jack is on hand and expectant. Vocally the bird has all sorts 

 of surprises for the uninitiated. In fact, in its proper habitat any bird 

 sound that cannot be referred to any other possible species may be ten- 

 tatively attributed to the Canada Jay. 



Economic Status. A bird of the unbroken forests, and only rarely 

 seen in populated areas. Its status is probably very similar to that of 

 the Blue Jay, but its retired habitat removes it from any conflict with 

 the agriculturist. 



Subfamily — Corvinoe. Crows. 



The Crows form a well marked subfamily of remarkably similar 

 appearance. They are common almost everywhere and a reference to 

 Plate XXVA is sufficient description. The European Rook belongs 

 to this division. 



486. Raven, fr. — le corbeau. Cormis corax. L. 22. Like the Crow (Plate 

 XXV A) but larger. 



Distinctions. The Raven is in general appearance a very large Crow. The most 

 obvious distinction is the long pointed shape of the feathers on the throat, each lying 

 distinct on the other and not softly blended together as in the Crow. 



Field Marks. In addition to size, which is always an uncertain criterion in wide open 

 spaces, the voice is the most certain guide. The croak of the Raven is hoarse and rattling, 

 not clear and distinct like the caw of the Crow. However, young Crows have notes almost 

 indistinguishable from those of the Raven and where both species occm-, vocal characters 

 are not always reliable guides. When one sees a Raven one can easily imagine marked 

 characteristics of form and flight, but it must be confessed that they seldom become 

 obvious to the ordinary' observer until after the identity has been determined. 



Nesting. Usually on cliff ledges, sometimes in trees; in nest of sticks. 



Distribution. The species is found in both the Old and the New World far into the 

 polar regions, where its black coat against the general whiteness sounds a warning against 

 too ready tendency to stretch the protective coloration theory to cover the whole of animated 

 creation. It once occupied all of Canada, but now is restricted to the most unsettled parts 

 in the north and southward along the mountain ranges of both coasts to well into the 

 United States. 



SUBSPECIES. The Raven is divided into several geographical races. The Euro- 

 pean is the type form. In Canada, we have the Northern Raven C. c. principalis. 

 The differences between them are slight. 



The Raven is traditionally a bird of ill-omen. Sombre of colour, 

 dismal in voice, solitary and wild of habit, it fills in the north the place 

 of the Vulture in the south. The Raven holds aloof from the haunts of 

 men. As civilization has advanced into the primeval vastnesses, the 

 Raven, unlike its close relative the Crow, has retired and is to-day what 

 it was in the beginning, a bird of the wilderness. Knowing only the 

 physical requirements and food habits of the two species, one would 

 naturally think that the Raven could thrive as well under civilization 

 as the Crow. It is omnivorous and can adjust itself to almost any food 

 supply. It is hardy and can five in chmates and under conditions where 

 its weaker congener can not exist, yet for some unexplained cause, the 

 Crow increases and the Raven disappears when settlement advances. 

 57172—11 



