274 LAND-BIRDS. 



themselves become injurious and very destructive, exhibiting 

 more than at other times a carnivorous taste. They do most 

 mischief in destroying the young and eggs of various emi- 

 nently useful birds; and this is the most serious charge 

 which can be brought against them. They occasionally kill 

 field mice, and even, it is said, chickens. I have also seen 

 them feeding on snakes, but whether killed by themselves or 

 not, I do not know. In the latter part of summer, and in 

 autumn, they feed chiefly upon berries and grain. The 

 young, constantly nourished by their parents, grow rapidly, 

 and, at the end of about five weeks, show no pin-feathers, 

 appearing in full dress when half-grown. They can then 

 walk readily, and even fly for a short distance. I have never 

 had but one pair, who, when found, apparently had tumbled 

 from their nest, as a dead one was lying near by. Previously 

 to experience, I had vaguely supposed it necessary to feed 

 young birds at least once an hour, in order to keep them 

 alive. To my surprise, I was able to reduce the diet of my 

 proteges to three meals a day, even before they were well 

 fledged. The young are easily nourished upon meat, particu- 

 larly if raw, and upon worms, or occasionally even bread 

 soaked in water. In October I have often remarked a scar- 

 city of Crows, who probably then pass to the South, to be 

 replaced by others from the north, who resume their winter 

 habits in November. 



Our Crows walk with a slow, measured step, which Audu- 

 bon considers " elevated and graceful." That author adds 

 that they frequently alight " on the backs of cattle, to pick 

 out the worms lurking in their skin, in the same manner as 

 the Magpie, Fish-crow, and Cow-bird " ; this I have never ob- 

 served. They fly with a regular, but seemingly slow beat of 

 the wings, which is occasionally relieved by sailing, especially 

 in a high wind or when the birds are about to alight, which 

 they most often do at some height from the ground, though 

 also fond of fences. It is common to see them with ragged 

 wings, as if injured by shot ; but the loss of several feathers, 

 even if confined to one side, does not seem to interfere with 

 their naturally vigorous flight. As they often fly at a great 



