No. 4.] THE CROW IN MASSACHUSETTS. 279 



Mating and 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 dilierent 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 compli- 

 cated 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 com- 

 posed largely of sticks, intermixed with coarse moss or even 

 leaves, they are quite compact, and not unhandsome struct- 

 ures. The lining is made of grape-vine bark, grass, moss, 

 hair, squash vines, feathers, 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 

 Wincheudon 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 Massachusetts 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 in covering the eggs with leaves when away 

 from the nest. The writer has in two instances found fresh 

 eggs of the crow carefully covered with dead leaves, and in 

 one case the birds appeared soon after the nest was reached. 



* Mr. J. A. Farley bad in Newton, Mass., a tame crow, that readily imitated a 

 talking parrot. 



In 1896 tlfere was a young crow on the Enoch Russell place in Lynnfield, Mass., 

 that could repeat a single word plainly and imitate the sound of a conversation. 



