BIRDS OF INDIANA. 871) 



and 19, acorns. This and other investigations that have been made 

 bear out the testimony of Prof. Beal. In my own yard I find young 

 poison vines (Ehus toxicodendron), springing up in number every- 

 where. These I ascribe to seeds dropped by birds, and I am inclined 

 to lay the charge to the Blue Jay. 



The Jay is one of those birds which by reason of its great range of 

 food it is desirable to preserve, if it does not become more destructive, 

 for it is liable to be of great service some day against any unusual 

 insect outbreak. 



SUBFAMILY COEVIN^E. CROWS. 



109. GBNUS CORVUS LINN.EUS. 



a 1 . Wing over 16. C. corax sinuatus (Wagl.). 185 



a 2 . Wing under 14. C. axnericanus Aud. 186 



*185. (486). Corvus corax sinuatus (WA<?L.). 



American Raven. 



Adult. Plumage, entirely lustrous black, with purplish reflections; 

 feathers of neck, disconnected, long, narrow and pointed; bill and 

 feet, black; iris, brown; tail, conspicuously rounded. 



Length, 25.00-27.00; wing, 16.10-18.00; tail, 9.00-11.00; bill, 2.40- 

 3.05. 



EANGE. North America, from Guatemala to British Columbia, On- 

 tario and Maine. In the eastern United States, now rare and prin- 

 cipally confined to the mountainous districts, along which it ranges 

 to South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama. Usually resident where 

 found. 



Nest, on cliffs or in trees, of sticks and bark; lined with hair, wool or 

 moss. Eggs, 5-7; pale-green, drab or olive-green; much blotched or 

 spotted with different shades of brown, lavender and drab; 1.95 by 

 1.29. 



Rare resident. Breeds. I had supposed the Raven was extinct in 

 southern Indiana, and but few were found in the northern part of the 

 State. In April, 1897, Mr. Chansler informed me that two persons 

 had spoken to him of its nesting in Martin County, in cliffs, and that 

 one of them said he had taken a nest and two eggs in 1894. Mr. Cass. 

 Stroud, of Wheatland, says Ravens are moderately common in a local- 

 ity known as "Ravens' Hollow," five miles south of Shoals, Martin 

 County. Mr. Chansler also said that one person told him of their nest- 

 ing at "Ravens' Rock," in Dubois County. Mr. Geo. R. Wilson, Coun- 



