27 



head. They gradually settled upon the trees and kept up an in- 

 termittent outcry for some time. Id another case a single crow 

 appeared to be the leader, and it was long before the immense 

 throng dispersed. 



Crows have a habit of mobbing and hectoring any animal that 

 they believe to be an enemy. In the fall or winter months they 

 often gather in flocks and follow hawks or owls. The appearance 

 of a great horned owl, hawk, raccoon or fox, either dead or alive, 

 is the signal for the gathering of a mob of crows from all the 

 country round, when they will pursue the luckless bird or animal, 

 if it is alive, and continually annoy it even if they do not actually 

 attack it. At such times, amid the noise and excitement, they lose 

 some of their habitual caution and may be more readily approached 

 than usual. They will sometimes press an owl very closely, keep- 

 ing the poor bird dodging about from tree to tree in a ludicrous 

 manner. 



Mating anp Nesting Habits. 



Very early in the spring, when the snow is melting, the crows 

 indicate by their actions the approach of the mating season. Their 

 usually harsh notes are frequently varied by very musical tones, 

 very different in quality from the harsh "caw" commonly heard. 

 These notes are sometimes heard well into the nesting season. 

 Indeed, the crow has a great variety of notes, and quite a language 

 of its own. Those who have examined its vocal organs, which are 

 very complicated and perfect, are not surprised that crows have 

 even been taught to speak and whistle. On warm days, early in 

 April, males may be seen pursuing females in swift and graceful 

 aerial evolutions, sometimes rising high above the woods and again 

 descending into the open spaces among the trees. Nests are soon 

 begun, and, although they are composed largely of sticks, inter- 

 mixed with coarse moss or even leaves, they are quite compact 

 and not unhandsome structures. The lining is made of grape-vine 

 bark, grass, moss, hair, squash vines, featliers, rootlets or similar 

 materials. Portions of the skins of animals, such as snakes and 

 hares, are often found in the lining. Mr. Bailey says he has seen 

 a crow pull up pieces of squash vines some eight feet in length and 

 carry them to the nest. The materials used in lining the nest vary 

 with the locality. For instance, about Winchendon Mr. Bailey 

 has never seen a nest lined with the bark of the grape, and he says 

 there are few grape vines in the vicinity. In southern Worcester 

 County the grape-vine bark is much used, while in eastern Massa- 

 chusetts cedar bark takes its place. 



The eggs are laid from the middle of April to July. In some 

 cases what appears to be excessive caution is exhibited by the crow 



