OF NEW ENGLAND. 263 
to be almost entirely concealed from beneath. It is usually 
hollowed to the depth of several inches, and is, for so large a 
bird, a very neat structure. It is composed of various mater- 
ials (frequently including dry grass), of which the most char- 
acteristic are generally the sticks outside, and the lining of 
bark (consisting of strips taken from cedars or grape-vines). 
It is, in Massachusetts, finished between the tenth of April 
and the tenth of May, and four or five eggs are then laid. 
These average about 1:60 X 1:25 of an inch, and are spotted 
sometimes coarsely and sparsely, sometimes thickly and finely, 
occasionally in both ways. The ground-color is a green of 
varying shade; the markings are variously brown, olive, dusky, 
and rarely purplish. The eggs of the Raven and Fish Crow 
differ but little except in size, the former being more than 
an inch and three quarters long, the latter much less. The 
Ravens usually build on cliffs. 
The eggs of the Crow often exhibit abnormal forms, among 
which Dr. Brewer enumerates some which are green but un- 
marked, some which are white but spotted with reddish- 
brown, and one which has different grounds on the opposite 
sides. Another, in my collection, has a strong bluish tinge, 
like that of a thrush’s egg, and only a few dark spots. 
(c). The Crows are common residents in Eastern Massa- 
chusetts throughout the year. How far to the northward they 
may be found in winter I cannot say. During that season they 
are not uncommon near the sea, where they most readily obtain 
food. As their habits vary with the seasons, it is interesting 
to observe the changes. I shall therefore begin their biogra- 
phy by detailing the life which they lead from the opening 
of the year until the period of courtship. 
The Crows are said to suffer extremely from cold weather in’ 
certain parts of the country, and even to die of starvation; 
but, near Boston, they seem to fare very well. At night they 
roost in thick evergreens, to which they retire promptly at 
evening, and from which they arise in the morning before any 
other birds. As they are very sociable (among themselves) 
throughout the year, they are seen often in small parties, and 
