Family Corvidce American Crow 131 



FAMILY 



73. AMERICAN CROW; COMMON CROW 



(Corvus cunericanus.) 



Body entirely black both above and below, beak and feet strong 

 and black. Sexes similar, but female smaller. Male nearly 

 twice the length of a robin. 



CROWS remain the entire year with us ; they may 

 be found almost anywhere on open ground. They 

 spend much time on the earth, where they walk in- 

 stead of hopping. In winter I have found them in- 

 clined to be carnivorous, and readily attracted by 

 meat when they are quite sure that it does not 

 conceal a trap. During the day a few only are or- 

 dinarily to be found together; but, except at the 

 breeding season, large numbers congregate to spend 

 the night at some especially attractive spot. Thence 

 they fly out in the morning for their day's foraging, 

 and thither they return again in the evening, often 

 in bands, flying in a long line. 



The blackening trains o 1 craws to their repose. BURNS. 



The wariness and sagacity of crows have given occa- 

 sion for many anecdotes, and make these birds espe- 

 cially interesting ones to study. 



The nest is placed usually in high, thick woods, 



