THE BIRDS OF WASHINGTON 
NORTHERN RAVEN. 
A. O. U. No. 486a. Corvus corax principalis Ridgw. 
Synonym.—Formerly called the AMERICAN Raven. 
Description.—Color uniform lustrous black; plumage, especially on breast, 
scapulars and back, showing steel-blue or purplish iridescence; feathers of the 
throat long, narrow, pointed, light gray basally; primaries whitening at base. 
Length two feet or over, female a little smaller; wing 17.00-18.00 (438) ; tail 
10.00 (247); bill 3.20 (76.5); depth of bill at nostril 1.00 (28.5); tarsus 2.68 
(68). 
Recognition Marks.—Large size,—about twice as big as a Crow; long 
rounded tail; harsh croaking notes; uniform black coloration. Indistinguishable 
afield from simuatus. 
Nesting.— Vest: a large but compact mass of sticks, lined with grass, wool, 
cow-hair, etc., placed high in fir trees or upon inaccessible cliffs. Eggs: 4-7 (8 
of record), usually 5, pale bluish green or olive, spotted, blotched, and dashed 
with greenish brown and obscure lilac or purple. Ay. size, 1.90 x 1.33 (48.26 x 
33.78). Season: April 15; one brood. 
General Range.—‘“‘Arctic and Boreal Provinces of North America; south 
to Eastern British Provinces, portions of New England, and Atlantic Coast of 
United States, higher Alleghenies, region of the Great Lakes, western and 
northern Washington, etc.” (Ridgway). 
Range in Washington.—Found sparingly in the Cascade and Olympic 
Mountains, more commonly along the Pacific Coast. 
Migrations.—Resident but wide ranging. 
Authorities.—[ Lewis and Clark, Hist. Ex. (1814), Ed Biddle: Coues, Vol. 
Il. p. 185.] Corvus carnivorus Bartram, Baird, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv. IX. 1858, 
ppwsgor 502,563. (CL). C&S. L7. Dt(?). B..E. 
Specimens.—(U. of. W.) Prov. C. 
