FISH CROW 107 



" The Common Crow," which is full of interesting 

 information concerning the habits and peculiarities of 

 this very intelligent bird. 



In spring Crows leave the roost and scatter over 

 the country to breed, building their nests high in 

 trees, generally in pines. They are most likely to 

 build on the edge of the woods, but sometimes in a 

 detached tree in the open. The nest is made of 

 sticks, corn-husks, and other coarse material, all very 

 substantially put together, and lined with grass, 

 leaves and rags. It is about two feet in diameter out- 

 side. Four to six eggs are laid, generally bluish- 

 green, thickly marked with brown. " The young are 

 born blind and naked, and remain in the nest about 

 three weeks." 



If a young Crow is taken about the time he is 

 ready to leave the nest, he readily adapts himself to 

 new conditions and makes an interesting pet. He 

 will want raw egg and bits of fresh meat at first, 

 but afterwards any scraps from the table are accept- 

 able. A tame Crow shows no preference for .corn, 

 and only eats it when he can get nothing else. 



Fish Crow: Corvus ossifragits. 



The Fish Crow is smaller than the Common Crow, 

 but the difference is not perceptible in the field. He 

 can there be distinguished only by his voice, which 

 has a pronounced nasal quality. Instead of caw, he 

 cries car, " as if through his nose." 



Fish Crows will not be found far from water. They 

 are extremely common about Washington and are 

 almost always seen in the Smithsonian grounds and 

 along Rock Creek in the Zoological Park. They are 



