PREFACE. 



In rSgi, Mr. Frank L. Burns was appointed chairman of a committee 

 on special investigations by Mr. Lynds Jones, who was then President. 

 Mr. Burns decided to begin a careful and thorough study of the American 

 Crow, and his committee has been at work ever since that time, with this 

 report as the result of four years' labor. 



I believe that this report is the most comprehensive treatment of the 

 American Crow ever attempted. It presents many facts of value, both to 

 the popular reader and to the scientist. The food, habits, characteristics, 

 etc., of the Crow are pretty fully discussed. There is much of interest 

 to be found in the report, also, concerning adaptation to changed environ- 

 ments. An excellent series of descriptions of eggs will prove of value to 

 the oologist. Among several tabulated arrangements, there is one of 

 particular interest, showing the gradation in the size of eggs from the 

 south, northward. Mr. Burns deserves great commendation for his care- 

 ful and patient work on this report, and congratulations upon his success. 



This is the first of a series of similar reports to appear in the future. 

 Those who have contributed to its preparation, must certainly feel much 

 satisfaction at the results of their efforts. This Bl'lletin, as well as the 

 Sparrow and Warbler Reports, is a fair representation of what the Chap- 

 ter aims to do. 



Reuben M. Stroncv, Prcsiih-)il of iJie W. (). C. 



Oberlin, ()., February 15th, 1895. 



