FIELD KEY TO THE LAND BIRDS. 25 
of a gray color, which is darkest on wings and tail. 
Similar to the Blue Jay, but not so handsome in col- 
oring; possessed of unbounded impudence and curi- 
osity. He lives in the Northern forests, and begins 
to breed early in March, while there are still two 
months of severe weather. 
50. COMMON CROW. Corvus americanus. — 
Length, 19§ inches. Black, with a purplish and blue 
gloss. The Crow excels among all birds by his intel- 
—lectual faculties. He is bold and daring when he 
feels himself safe, but shrewd, cunning, and shy where 
he is suspicious of evil intent, being popularly said 
to smell a trap, or the powder in a gun. He seems 
to study the character of every inhabitant of his dis- 
trict, giving one person a wide berth, while he allows 
another to come within a few yards of him. His food 
consists of anything eatable, from chickens and mice 
to insects, worms, and corn. He is one of the worst 
destroyers of birds’ nests, and though relentlessly 
persecuted by boys and gunners, he manages to hold 
his own, like the fox and the English sparrow. In 
the woods he appropriates police duties, and drives 
off such unwelcome intruders as cats, owls, hawks, 
and foxes. 
51. RAVEN. Corvus corax principalis. — Length, 
264 inches. Similar to the crow, but much larger. 
Rare ; found in heavily wooded districts northward. 
52. FISH OR SHORE CROW. Corvus ossi- 
fragus. — Length, 16 inches. Similar to the crow. 
It feeds on the refuse of the sea, and roosts far in- 
land, flying back and forth, morning and evening, in 
creat, noisy Swalus. 
