100 The Birds of Albany County 



If the Crows feel a contempt for mankind they certainly 

 can show "probable cause," as the New England magistrates 

 say, for they have been under the ban ever since the first of 

 their number was discovered pulling up the farmer's tender 

 young corn. Like many geniuses, Mister Crow has been 

 misunderstood; in other words his qualities have not been 

 appreciated. The Crow is a bird of parts; he is versatile. 

 His predilection for corn-sprouts is only a slight indication of 

 his epicurean tastes. And this is nothing strange, for he has a 

 large brain compared to the majority of the Passeres. Others 

 of his family are distinguished for the same characteristics, as 

 his near relative, the Blue Jay, also has a very large brain 

 and the same marvelously developed auditory organs. 



The versatility of the Crow is shown in the way in which 

 he adapts himself to conditions. He is a winter resident 

 in Albany County and, when the food in the woods and 

 fields fails, he knows how to fish in the river. I have frequently 

 seen this operation. My journal for March 1 4, 1 904, 

 reads: "I observed Crows fishing in Island Creek. One 

 hovered over the water, dropped down to the surface, and 

 went to the ice to eat what it had caught." While sojourning 

 at Lake George, I saw Crows fishing almost every day. 



Why cast aspersion upon the ebony and perfectly proper 

 plumage of the Crow? Whether battling against the March 

 or November winds, or posed against the white background of 

 Winter, he is always trim, well groomed, and altogether 

 admirable. He also has an independent air and shows his 

 freedom in every movement. I say that he is a permanent 

 resident of Albany County, but ornithologists agree in 



