THE NORTHWEST CROW, . ae 
Common Crow, but averaging smaller. A typical set averages 1.56 x 1.08 
(39.6 x 27.4). Season: April 15-June 1; one brood. 
General Range.—American coasts of the North Pacific Ocean and its 
estuaries from Olympia and the mouth of the Columbia River north at least to 
the Alaskan peninsula. 
Range in Washington.—Shores and islands of Puget Sound, the Straits 
of Juan de Fuca, and the West Coast (at least as far south as Moclips, presum- 
ably to Cape Disappointment). Strictly resident. 
Authorities.—[Lewis and Clark, Hist. Ex. (1814), ed. Biddle: Coues, Vol. 
II. p. 185.] Corvus caurinus Baird, Baird, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv. IX. June 29, 
OGemhOO, 57040 bCeron ee. Rb. Kb: Ra: Kk BYE. 
Specimens.—U. of W. Prov. E. B. 
AFTER lengthy discussion it is pretty well settled that the Crow of the 
northwestern sea-coasts is merely a dwarfed race of the Corvus brachyrhynchos 
group; and that it shades perfectly into the prevailing western type, C. b. hes- 
peris, wherever that species occupies adjacent regions. This area of inter- 
gradation lies chiefly south and west of Puget Sound, in Washington; for the 
Crow is ever fond of the half-open country, and does not take kindly to the 
unmitigated forest depths, save where, as in the case of the Fish Crow, he may 
find relief upon the broad expanses of shore and tide-flats. The case is quite 
analogous to that of native man. The larger, more robust types were found in 
the eastern interior, while those tribes which were confined exclusively to 
residence upon the sea-shore tended to become dwarfed and stunted; and the 
region of intergradation lay not chiefly along the western slopes of the 
Cascades with their crushing weight of tall timber, but in the prairie regions 
bordering Puget Sound upon the south. 
It is impossible, therefore, to pronounce with certainty upon the sub- 
specific identity of Crows seen hear shore in Mason, Thurston, Pierce, or even 
King County; but in Clallam, Jefferson, San Juan, and the other counties of 
the Northwest, one has no difficulty in recognizing the dwarf race. Not only 
are these Crows much smaller in point of size, but the voice is weaker, flatter, 
and more hoarse, as tho affected by an ever-present fog. So marked is this 
vocal change, that one may note the difference between birds seen along shore 
in Pierce County and those which frequent the uplands. However,—and this 
caution must be noted—the upland birds do visit the shore on occasion; and 
the regular shore dwellers are by no means confined thereto, as are the more 
typical birds found further north. 
The early observers were feeling for these differences, and if Nature did 
not afford sufficient ground for easy discrimination, imagination could supply 
the details. The following paragraph from the much quoted work* of John 
Keast Lord is interesting because deliciously untrue. 
a. “The Naturalist in Vancouver Island and British Columbia,’ by John Keast Lord. Two Vols. 
London. Published by Richard Bentley, 1866. Vol. II., p. 70. 
