CORVID^ — THE CROWS. 249 



This species is readily distinguished from the eastern Fish Crow by the 

 larger size ; the absence of green gloss on the belly ; the tarsi longer than 

 the middle toe and claw, instead of shorter ; and the second quill beino- 

 generally shorter than the sixth instead of longer, and considerably shorter 

 than the culmen, instead of longer. 



It is rather to be compared with C. americanus, with which it agrees in 

 colors, but from which it differs, essentially, in having the wing and tail 

 very much shorter, while the bill is considerably longer, and in haviuf the 

 tarsus shorter than the culmen, instead of longer, as in all the other North 

 American species. In this last respect it agrees with C. mexicanus (see 

 synopsis, p. 829) of Western Mexico ; in this, however, the color and propor- 

 tions are entirely difi'erent. 



Habits. This species appears to be confined to the seaboard of the Pa- 

 cific, from Alaska to California inclusive. Smaller than the common Crow, 

 in its more essential features it closely resembles that bird, while in all its 

 habits it appears the exact counterpart of the Fish Crow, from which it is 

 specifically and essentially distinct. 



It is found as far north as Sitka, several specimens having been procured 

 at that point by Mr. Bischoff. 



In the opinion of Dr. Suckley, the marked differences in the habits of 

 this species from those of the common Crow, even more than the great dif- 

 ference in size, sufficiently mark them as entirely distinct. The western 

 Fish Crow is never wary or suspicious, like the common species, but in its 

 impudent familiarity with man resembles the English Jackdaw, and hardly 

 learns to be shy even after having been annoyed with the gun. In Oregon 

 and Washington Territory, he states, this Crow is very abundant, and is one 

 of the marked ornithological features of the country. The great abundance 

 of fish, especially of salmon, in both of these divisions, amply supplies this 

 species with food. At Puget Sound it is abundant throughout the year. 

 During the winter it subsists principally upon the refuse food and offal 

 thrown out by the natives from their lodges. He describes it as cunning, 

 but very tame and impudent, allowing a very near approach, and retiring but 

 a sliort distance when pursued. Like the Eaven and tlie Herring Gull, these 

 birds are in tlie habit of carrying clams high into the air and then dropping 

 them, in order to break the shell. Dr. Suckley observed one fruitlessly try- 

 ing to break the shell of a clam by letting it drop on soft ground. In this 

 effort he persisted perseveringly as long as he was watched. 



Dr. Suckley found a nest of this species at Fort Dalles. It was situated 

 in a dense willow-thicket, near a lagoon on the Columbia, and contained 

 three eggs. He describes them as about an inch and a half long, and very 

 wide in their short diameter, of a dirty green ground with brown spots. 



Dr. Cooper speaks of it as much more gregarious and familiar than the 

 common Crow, but otherwise resembling tliat bird in habits, being very saga- 

 cious, feeding upon almost everything animal and vegetable, differing rather 

 VOL. II. 32 



