LI 



Crow; Common American Crow 



488. Corvus americanus 



The head and back of the Crow are dull black, with 

 wings and tail burnished. It is about twenty inches long 

 and is found all over North America, nesting in tall trees 

 or hedges. The nest is a large, compact structure of sticks 

 and in localities where much binding twine is used in 

 wheat fields, that material is freely used. I have seen 

 nests where half of the structure was composed of twine. 

 The eggs number from four to six and are of a greenish- 

 white with lilac or brown blotches. 



Crows are very intelligent and have held their own 

 despite the farmers ' dislike of them. They use an alarm 

 sentinel while the flock is feeding; they are omnivorous 

 feeders. It is claimed that they are mated for life. 



Both birds equally assume the nursery duties. (Fig. 

 78.) In winter Crows congregate in large flocks at night 

 at one spot to roost. These birds are great lovers of 

 their kind and of their homes. In its evening flight the 

 Crow suggests, in its every movement, eagerness to reach 

 the roosting rookery before dark. Ever on the alert, 

 the bird is able to detect the presence of a gun in your 

 hand or on your shoulder from a great distance. 



In crossing a field where Crows are peacefully feed- 

 ing on the ground, you may walk quite near them if you 

 are unarmed, but just let their sentry, perched on a 

 nearby elevation, see you with a pitchfork or hoe handle 

 over your shoulder, and instantly his warning ' ' caw, caw, 

 caw!" puts consternation into the whole bunch and they 

 hurriedly make their getaway. As the plowman plods 

 along behind his team and the furrows are turned, these 

 same Crows seem to say, as they strut down the freshly- 

 turned soil behind the farmer and his plow, ''AH I find 

 is mine." 



From a sentimental point of view the Crow has some 

 traits to be admired, but from its general character as 



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