LIST AND DESCRIPTION 105 
488. Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos.) 
Perhaps the best known bird in South Dakota. An annual 
resident, gathering in large flocks during the fall and winter and 
migrating south or east a little way to find more suitable feed- 
ing grounds. In the spring they scatter in pairs over the State 
to nest. 
The economic value of the Crow is perhaps a matter of 
conditions and numbers. The writers have watched hundreds, 
day after day, making a meal from grasshoppers in the alfalfa 
fields along the Missouri River. This was during the summers 
of 1916 to 1919 inclusive, when the grasshoppers were a pest in 
that locality. To the settlers along the river the crows were a 
valuable asset, while perhaps in other parts of the State they 
were committing acts of depredation that would place them in 
disrepute. 
491. CrarKe’s Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana.) 
Frequently seen in the pine forests of the Black Hills. 
Slightly larger than the Canada Jay, but similar_in color. 
Whole body ashy gray. Wings and middle tail feathers black; 
outer tail feathers white. Habits much like those of the Pinon 
Jay. 
492. Pinon JAy (Cyanocephalus cyanocephalus.) 
Locally abundant in the Black Hills and forest reserves 
of Harding County. Has been seen in Douglas and Washabaugh 
counties, and may be found anywhere west of the Missouri 
River where a few pine trees are growing, as it feeds principally 
on seeds from the cones of this tree. 
It is about the size of the Blue Jay. Its entire plumage 
is uniform grayish blue. Except during the breeding season it 
is usually seen in small flocks. 
PE Vie teint AL; BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES; 
MEADOWLARKS 
This is a family of weavers, and includes Orioles, Black- 
birds, Meadowlarks, etc. These vary greatly in nest weaving 
ability, power of song, and beauty of color, but constitute one 
of our most charming and useful bird families. 
