FISH CROW. 131 



country that the Crows engage at times in general combat ; 

 but it has never been ascertained whether this hostihty arises 

 from civil discord, or the opposition of two different species 

 contesting for some exclusive privilege of subsisting ground. 

 It is well known that Rooks often contend with each other, 

 and drive away by every persecuting means individuals who 

 arrive among them from any other rookery. 



Note. — The Florida Crow {C. aviericamis fioridanus) differs 

 from true aniericaiius in having the wings and tail shorter, and the 

 bill and feet larg-er. It is restricted to southern Florida. 



FISH CROW. 



CORVUS OSSIFRAGUS. 



Char. Blacl< glossed with steel-blue. Length 15 to 17^ inches. 

 Nest. On a tree ; of sticks and twigs firmly laid, lined with leaves. 

 ^.?S^- 5~7 ; sea-green or olive, blotched and spotted with brown ; 

 1.50 X 1.05. 



Wilson was the first to observe the distinctive traits of this 

 smaller and peculiar American species of Crow along the sea- 

 coast of Georgia. It is met with as far north as the coast of 

 New Jersey ; and although we did not see it in the western 

 interior of the continent, it is common on the banks of the 

 Oregon, where it was nesting in the month of April. It 

 keeps apart from the common species, and instead of assem- 

 bling to roost among the reeds at night, retires, towards 

 evening, from the shores which afford it a subsistence, and 

 perches in the neighboring woods. Its notes, probably various, 

 are at times hoarse and guttural, at others weaker and higher. 

 These Crows pass most of their time near rivers, hovering over 

 the stream to catch up dead and perhaps living fish, or other 

 animal matters which float within their reach ; at these they 

 dive with considerable celerity, and seizing them in their claws, 

 convey them to an adjoining tree, and devour the fruits of 

 their predatory industry at leisure. They also snatch up water- 



