236 BULLETIN 191, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



crows similar in coloration to the one described by Piers but with certain 

 variations have been reported by other observers. 



Warne (1926) cites a very unusual case of a pet crow that after five 

 years suddenly acquired white feathers in each of its wings ; when the 

 wings were spread, about half of the area was white. Previous to this 

 time they were black. Albinism is a hereditary character, and why 

 white feathers would replace black feathers after five years is difficult 

 to explain. 



Longevity. — We have relatively few records on the longevity of the 

 crow. Banding of the birds has not been conducted in sufficient num- 

 bers or for a long enough time to yield definite results, but the following 

 four banding returns are of interest: A crow banded as a nestling in 

 Saskatchewan in July 1924 was shot five years later in July 1929 only 

 a mile and a half from the place of banding; one banded at Garden 

 Prairie, 111., was shot five years later at Marengo, 111., on March 25, 

 1934; one banded at Richmond, 111., on May 28, 1927, vv^as shot seven 

 years later in Kenosha County, Wis., on March 13, 1934; and one 

 banded at Lundar, Manitoba, on May 1, 1926, was shot seven years 

 later in Grant County, S. Dak., on April 2, 1933. 



Kalmbach and Aldous (1940) are of the opinion that relatively few 

 crows in the plains area live more than four years. This supposition is 

 based on the rapid decrease in the number of returns during the years 

 following the release of the birds. Out of 143 returns of 714 crows 

 banded, 76 were received the first year and 47, 12, and 8 (first six 

 months) in the successive years. All were reported killed, which em- 

 phasizes the intense persecution the crow receives from the hands of 

 the gunner. It is possible, state these authors, that the number of re- 

 turns for the crows banded might have been greater were it not for the 

 fact that, in their winter home, many are killed in bombings under 

 conditions not conducive to the recovery of the bands. 



Crows kept in captivity have lived spans of life exceeding 20 years, 

 but it is doubtful if many individuals in nature ever approach that age. 



Food. — Few ornithological problems have been of greater widespread 

 controversy than the economic status of the crow. It is an omnivorous 

 feeder and readily adapts its food habits to the changing seasons and 

 available food supply. Its food varies so greatly that isolated observa- 

 tions may be very misleading unless the food habits are considered from 

 the standpoint of the entire population through all seasons of the year. 

 If one is biased it is relatively easy to find abundant evidence either for 

 or against the crow. It is no great wonder that this bird has been the 

 subject of heated debate between the conflicting interests of those who 

 wish to destroy and those who would protect this species with no thought 



