The Audubon Societies 24.1 



or eastern parts of their res[)ective ranges, or, in certain instances, remain 

 resident throughout the year. 



Of the Crow family, which numbers some two hundred species, only 23 

 species and 30 subspecies are found in North America. It is difficult to choose 

 between the Jays and Crows, both are so well known; but, since there are 25 

 species and subspecies of Jays and only 5 of Crows, the common Crow, wel- 

 comed by many for his cheery caw caw, distrusted by others when he visits 

 the freshly sown fields in spring, will best serve our pur{)ose. The Crow belongs 

 to eastern North America, but there are also the Western Crow, the North- 

 western Crow, the Florida Crow, and along the Atlantic coast and eastern 

 waterways, the Fish Crow. Wintering from the northern United States 

 southward, the Crow breeds as far north as southern Mackenzie, central 

 Keewatin, Quebec, and along the Atlantic coast to Newfoundland, and as 

 far south as southern Texas and the Gulf coast, with the exception of 

 Florida. 



The Starlings are properly inhabitants of the Old World, where they are 

 quite generally distributed. Some of this numerous family are semi-arboreal 

 in habit, and are known as Tree Starlings; while others are mostly terrestrial, 

 running and walking easily. To this latter group belongs the common Starling, 

 which, in 1890, was first introduced into America. Before this date, it had been 

 known as an accidental wanderer to Greenland. At present, its range in the 

 New World is restricted to a small but constantly widening area around New 

 York, Long Island, southern New England, and the eastern edge of Pennsyl- 

 vania. The Starling is by habit migratory, but it may be called a short- 

 distance migrant, since its range does not extend far south, and individuals 

 may be resident. In this country, its seasonal movements have not been 

 accurately determined. It will be interesting to see how far it will go from its 

 breeding range, or whether it will remain practically resident. In its nati\-e 

 habitat, this species is found throughout western and central Europe, winter- 

 ing south to Africa. 



Closely related to the Starlings is the large and rather mixed family of 

 Blackbirds, Crackles, Meadowlarks, Orioles, and the Bobolink. The Orioles 

 are sometimes called the "American Starlings," but should never be confused 

 with the Old World Starlings, since they are among our most attractive and 

 beneficial birds. Quite different in habit from any other perching bird, the 

 Cowbird has the distinction of being our only feathered parasite. In Europe 

 the common Cuckoo follows this despicable habit of laying its eggs in the nests 

 of other birds. The Cowbird is economically useful so far as its food habits are 

 concerned, but it prevents the young of those birds upon whom it foists its 

 eggs, from being reared in many instances. It usually selects species smaller 

 than itself for foster-parents to its offspring. The Cowbird is quite generally 

 distributed throughout North America, the Gulf Coast and central Mexico 

 marking its southern limit in winter, and southern British Columbia, Keewatin, 



