FAM. XVI. JAi'S, CHOWS, MAGPIES, ETC. 



155 



blended as is usually the case. When seen with crows, ravens 



can readily be recognized by the great difference in size, but 



when seen alone there is difficulty in distinguishing them, as the 



distance they are away is not easily determined. (Raven.) 



Length, 20-27; wing, 15-19; tail, 10; tarsus, 2\ ; culmen, 2\-3J. 

 Northern North America, not migratory, south to Michigan, New Jersey, 

 and along the AUeghanies to North Carolina. 



6. White-necked Raven (4S7. Cdrvus cryptoleucus). — A bird 



similar to the last, but smaller and with the feathers of the 



back neck white at base. 



Length, 20; wing, 14; tail, 8; tai-sus, 2| ; culmen, 2J. Texas to 

 southern California and northern Mexico. 



7. American Crow (488. Ojrvus americdiius). — A very abun- 

 dant, large, black bird which is found in flocks everywhere, 

 and can be recognized by 

 its call notes of "ccao-ic, 

 caw-w." Though the crow 

 has few friends and, were 

 it not for his remarkable 

 ability to escape the gun- 

 ner, would soon become 

 extinct, it seems to thrive 

 under all circumstances 

 and in all situations. Act- 

 ing as though afraid of 

 nothing, it always knows 

 how to secure its own 

 safety. In the winter 

 the crows roost in im- 

 mense colonies in particu- 

 lar places ; during the day 

 they forage for food over a great extent of country, but at 

 night all return to the regular place for rest. 



Length, 17-21 ; wing, 12} (ll^-LSJ) ; tail, Ik ; tarsus, 2\ ; culmen, 1|. 

 North America, south to Mexico ; wintering from the northern United 

 States southward. The Florida Crow (488". C. a. floridnnus) has the bill 

 and feet comparatively larger. Tarsus, 2^- ; culmen, 2^. Florida. 



American Crow 



