( 151 ) 



CORVUS AMERICANUS— AUDUBON. 



AMERICAN CROW. 



Crow, Con'us corone, Wils. Amer. Om. 



Corvus corone, Bonap. Syn. 



Corvus corone, Crow, Sw. & Rich. 



Crow, Corvus corone, Nutt. Man. 



American Crow, Corvus Americanus, And. Orn. Biog. 



Specific Character — Bill along the gap two inches and one- 

 eighth, tarsi two and a quarter ; bill not so strong as the preceding 

 and not so fully feathered at the base ; general color of plumage 

 black, with purplish-blue reflections ; bill strong, black, as is the 

 color of the legs. Length eighteen inches, wing thirteen. * 



In our large list of North American Birds, no species is better 

 known than this audacious pilferer of corn-fields. In all the agri- 

 cultural districts, it is proverbial for its attachment to Indian 

 corn, which it destroys and carries off in such quantities, as to 

 prompt the farmer to many ingenious devices for the protection 

 of his crop. Of all the stratagems resorted to, none seem to be 

 more effectual than that of stretching a line around the field. So 

 fearful are they of being ensnared, that this scare-crow conveys to 

 them an idea of greater danger than any other which I have ever 

 known to be adopted. 



With the gun, but little can be accomplished ; so suspicious are 

 they of the near approach of man, that before the gunner arrives 

 within firing distance, the alarm is given, and all fly off to a safe 

 retreat, and wait a favorable opportunity for again descending upon 

 the field, and recommencing their repast. 



