14 



from different portions of the woods or from separate groves ; all in the 

 same order and about five hundred yards apart. They flew for some 

 distance, probably half a mile, before the individuals on the left swung 

 ahead and led their respective troops. There were not less than twenty- 

 five hundred birds, probably more. At night they retired to the above 

 mentioned timber in one long irregular train ; but it is my belief that 

 each flock retained its individuality throughout the day. This large con- 

 cour.se of birds probably repsesented a small portion of Chester, Dela- 

 ware and Montgomery Counties ; it being highly improbable that there 

 were any migrants from the North or from the mountains of the border- 

 ing counties, owing to the almost entire absence of sheltered roosts of ever- 

 green trees. During the colder, and stormiest period of the Winter, these 

 flocks retired to the scattered groves of conifers and cedars of the three 

 counties, usually breaking up in smaller companies, from necessity. 



NIDIFICATION. 



Situation. — The Crow usually chooses a tree situated as deep in the 

 woods as possible, or in some quiet little grove of tall trees, where it 

 can nest free from molestation and yet be near to its chosen feeding 

 ground. The number and variety of eligible situations, the individuality 

 of the bird, the degree of hostility prevailing in its neighborhood and the 

 consequent measure of activity displayed by its enemies, having a large 

 share in influencing the selection of a nesting site. Now and then a pair 

 bubbling over with boldness or over confidence in man, will build in an 

 isolated tree, usually but not invariably an evergreen, in the middle of a 

 field or in an apple orchard, Mr. Frederick M.' Dille collected a set of 

 eggs from a tall cottonwood, in the midst of a dense grove, on Clear creek, 

 directly on the outskirts of the city of Denver. He says : "I was greatly 

 surprised at finding a pair of Crows breeding in such close proximity to a 

 large city ; but the birds were very quiet and retiring, as if they realized 

 the delicacy of their situation." Mr. W. N. Clute, Binghamton, N. Y. , 

 cites two instances of this species nesting within the city limits. Dr 

 William Bringhurst, Philadelphia, Pa., takes note of a pair building in 

 Logan Square, on one side of which stands the Academy of Natural 

 Sciences, on another a grand Cathedral, etc., every front being built 

 around, and the square much frequented. At a later date, the same gen- 

 tleman informs me that he has heard of a nest established among the 

 trees of Independence Square, right in the heart of the oldest portion of 



