332 9 "/' 



Mr. Amos W. Butler, Indiana's state ornithologist, has just informed me (Septem- 

 ber 21, 1897) that the Raven has recently been found breeding in Martin and Du Bois 

 counties of that state. It is the only record I have of the Raven's nesting in this 

 part of the Ohio Valley. In Ohio it must be considered a rare winter visitor, and a 

 few may breed in the northern portion. The bird was more common in former years 

 than at present. 



487. WHITE-NECKED HAVEN. Corni* rri/ptolt'nnix Couch. Geog. Dist. 

 Southwestern- United States and table-lands of Mexico, north to Indian Territory, 

 Kansas, Colorado and Southern California, south to Guatemala. 



The White-necked Raven is an abundant species throughout most of its range. 

 The bird's general appearance and its nesting habits are similar to those of the com- 

 mon crow, with which it is often confounded. From four to seven eggs are laid by 

 this species, and they have, on the whole, markings of a lighter color than the eggs 

 of other species of Corrvs; and in addition they have lines running from one end 

 of the egg to the other, somewhat after the manner of those on the genus MyuircJm*, 

 of the Flycatchers, of which the most familiar example is the Crested Flycatcher, M. 

 rri nit ux. This peculiarity is typical of the species, and is found constant in a large 

 series In the collection of the National Museum, at Washington. A set of five eggs 

 in Mr. Norris' cabinet was taken May 16, 1888, in Cochise county, Arizona, from a 

 nest in an oak tree. The eggs are of a pale bluish-green, spotted with clove-brown, 

 and profusely streaked with longitudinal lines of olive-gray. They measure: 1.74x 

 1.19, 1.77x1.21. 1.67x1.18, 1.76x1.18, 1.77x1.21. 



488. AMERICAN CROW. Corvus americanus Aud. Geog. Dist. Eastern 

 North America except Southern Florida and Arctic regions. 



An abundant bird in all the Eastern States, where it is well known. The nest is 

 built in woods, preferably in high, thick forest, and the tree selected is one of thick 

 foliage. In pine regions the cedar is the favorite tree. The altitude is usually so 

 great that the nest is practically inaccessible. In quiet, solitary places, however, I 

 have found it placed not more than ten or fifteen feet from the ground. It is buill 

 of twigs and sticks, sometimes of considerable size, firmly interlaced, while weeds 

 and grass, often with clods of earth attached, form part of the structure. The lining 

 fs of leaves, grapevine bark and fine grasses. Mr. Frank L. Burns has probably 

 given us the best history of the American Crow that has yet been written. In a 

 monograph* of forty-one pages the general habits, particularly the feeding, nesting, 

 roosting, flight, relative abundance, etc., is recorded. These facts and figures are 

 from competent observers within the geographical range of this bird. Concerning 

 the material of the nest, he says: "The composition of the nest varies somewhat, 

 of course, with the local surroundings, as well as with the individual builder's ex- 

 perience and 'taste' as to the proper material for building. They rarely use a de- 

 serted squirrel's nest The typical nest is composed of coarse sticks, strips of 1 ark, 

 clods of earth, dead leaves; lined with hog bristles, strips of grape vine bark; the 

 bark of chestnut or oak, cow hair, or horse hair. Occasionally the body of HIP 

 nest will contain moss, grass, rootlets, corn stalks, cloth (often from some dilapi- 

 dated 'scare crow'), corn husks, weed stalks, pieces of rope, dried cow and horse 

 manure, feathers, pieces of matting, sheep's wool, twine, or seaweed. The lining 



Pullrtln No. 5: The Wilson Ornithological Chnptor of the Agasslz Association. The 

 Amprlcnn - .M Amrrlcnmis). with p.-.-inl reference to its Nest and Egrgs. r,y 



Prank L. Burrs. Oberlln. OMo. Mnrch IB 



