126 SINGING BIRDS. 



and west to the Pacific ; but to which form the birds found in the 

 Eastern States are to be referred, has not been settled by the 

 authorities. 



Of late years the Raven has almost forsaken the New England 

 shores, though it is still numerous around the Bay of Fundy, and 

 occurs locally in small numbers along the entire coast of the 

 Atlantic, and throughout this faunal province. It is more abundant 

 to the westward of the Mississippi. 



CROW. 



CORVUS AMERICANUS. 



Char. Black, with gloss of purple tinge. Length 17 to 21 inches. 

 Nest, In a tree ; made of sticks and twigs, lined with grass and leaves. 

 Eggs. 4-6 ; sea-green to dull olive, blotched with brown ; 1.70 X 1.20. 



The Crow, like the Raven, which it greatly resembles, is a 

 denizen of nearly the whole world. It is found even in New 

 Holland and the Philippine Islands, but is rare in Sweden, 

 where the Raven abounds. It is also common in Siberia, and 

 plentiful in the Arctic deserts beyond the Lena. 



The native Crow is a constant and troublesomely abundant 

 resident in most of the settled districts of North America, 

 as well as an inhabitant of the Western wilds throughout 

 the Rocky Mountains, to the banks of the Oregon and the 

 shores of the Pacific. These birds only retire into the forests 

 in the breeding season, which lasts from March to May. At 

 this time they are dispersed through the woods in pairs, and 

 roost in the neighborhood of the spot which they have selected 

 for their nest ; and the conjugal union, once formed, continues 

 for life. They are now very noisy, and vigilant against any 

 intrusion on their purpose, and at times appear influenced by 

 mutual jealousy, but never proceed to any violence. The 

 tree they select is generally lofty, and preference seems often 

 given to some dark and concealing evergreen. The nest is 

 formed externally of small twigs coarsely interlaced together, 

 plastered and matted with earth, moss, and long horse-hair, 



