Xgkicultural ornithology. 305 



ance of a cat, Tie will watcli the burrows of the fox, and pounce on the cubs." 

 ♦ * " Yes, good reader, the former knows all this well, but he also knows his 

 power, and, interfere as you may, Avith tale of pity or of truth, the bird is still 

 a raven." (Aud.) 



2. C. americanus, (Wils,,) Aud., American crow. Resident, very abundant; 

 cxmxiivorous. This more familiar epitome of the raven is known to every one. 

 " Our crow feeds on fruits, seeds, and vegetables of almost every kind ; it is 

 equally fond of snakes, lizards, frogs, and other small reptiles. It looks upon 

 various species of worms, grubs, and insects as dainties ; and, if hard pushed by 

 hunger, will devour even putrid carrion. It is fond of the eggs of other birds, 

 and it plunders the fields of their superabundance. It is blamed for so doing, 

 but seldom praised when it chases the thieving hawk from the poultry yard." 

 (Aud.) With such a ledger it is often difficult for the fanner to settle the ac- 

 counts with his tenant to mutual satisfaction. 



3. G. ossifrag'ics, (Wils.,) fish crow. Resident, rare; omnivorous. The fish- 

 ing habits of this crow lead it more about the water, where it finds many aquatic 

 insects, reptiles, &c. ; otherwise it is a mere epitome of its older brother. 



98. Grenus Cyanura, (Sw., 1831 ) 



1. Ccr/*^cte, (Linn.,) Sw., blue jay. Resident, common; omnivorous. This 

 gay and gaudy bird has very much the same habits as its more sombre relatives, 

 the crows. Like them his organs of destructiveness and acquisitiveness are 

 very large, without a sufficient balancing power. He is both cruel and dis- 

 honest. He feeds indiscriminately on flesh, reptiles, insects, seeds, and fruits. 



XXni. FASnLY COLUMBIDiE, (THE PIGEONS.) 



99. Genus Ectopistes, (Sw., 1827.) 



1. E. viigratoria, (Linn.,) Sw., wild pigeon. Wandering; at times very 

 abundant and gregarious ; granivorous ; feeds on beech mast, acorns, gi'aius, and 

 seeds of various kinds. It sometimes attacks the newly sown grain of the 

 farmer, and when the flock is large, does much injury. 



100. Genus Zenaidura, (Bon., 1854.) 



1. Z. carolinensis, (Linn.,) Bon., turtle dove. Resident, frequent ; gra- 

 nivorous. It feed^s on small acorns, various kinds of grains and seeds ; also on 

 the fruits of the dogwood, holly, poke, &c. 



XXIV. FASnLY PHASIANID^, (THE TITRKEYS. ) 



101. Genus Mcleagris, (Linn., 1835.) 



1. M. gallopavo, (Linn., 1766,) wild turkey. Resident, perhaps extinct 

 in this county ; omnivorous. The turkey in a wild state feeds on nuts, acorns, 

 grains, and berries, together with various insects, tadpoles, lizards, &c. The 

 domestic bird has the same habits, but feeds especially on grasshoppers and the 

 seventeen-year locusts when abundant, on which they become fat. The great 

 destruction of insect pests by turkeys, added to their market value, makes them 

 a profitable crop for the farmer. 



XXV. FAMILY TETRAOXIDiE, (THE GROUSE.) 



102. Genus Cupidania, (Reich., 1850.) 



1. C. cupido, (Linn.,) Bd., pinnated grouse. Resident, now become extinct 

 in this country ; granivorous. Their food consists of acorns, of the dwai-f-oaks, 

 fruits and berries, and the buds of trees, especially the apple tree, and some- 

 times insects, such as grasshoppers, &c. Audubon says : " I have counted 

 more than fifty on a lingle apple tree, the buds of which they entirely destroyed 

 in a few hours." 



26 A 



