202 



BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



" Habitat. Northern North America, from Greenland to Alaska, south to British 

 Columbia, Canada, New Brunswick, etc."Itidffway. 



Of all the numerous birds found in Pennsylvania the Eaven seems to 

 be one of the most wily and difficult to secure. Although not abundant 

 anywhere in this commonwealth, these birds are probably more fre- 

 quently met with in portions of Sullivan, Elk, Centre, Cameron, Lycom- 

 ing, Clinton and Clearfield counties than elsewhere. The nest of this 

 bird, a bulky structure of sticks, bark, moss, etc., is said to be built in 

 March or April, and is placed in trees or sometimes on rocky ledges. 

 The following- list and notes from different observers will give a very 

 clear idea of the localities in our state where the Eaven occurs regularly : 



Mr. J. H. Ferguson, of Renovo, Clinton county, says Ravens are to be found about 

 nine miles south of Renovo, in the mountains. When deer are killed and eviscerated 

 these birds come about to feed on the refuse matter ; generally seen in pairs, but 

 sometimes several are together. It is a common custom for this bird to visit deserted 

 camps ; soon as lumbermen or hunters have left their camps a Raven, or several of 

 them, will be seen in the tops of tall trees, and shortly they will be observed near the 

 smoldering embers of the dying fire, picking up the fragments of food. 



Corvus americanus AUD. 



American Crow. 



DESCRIPTION (Plate 57). 



Bill, legs and ieet black ; iris brown ; plumage glossy black with violet reflec- 

 tions, brightest on wing-coverts, tail and back ; top of head frequently without me- 

 tallic tint young usually dull black. The male is larger than the female, and meas- 

 ures about 19 inches in length and 38 inches in extent. 



Habitat. North America from the Fur countries to Mexico. 



* I have made diligent inquiry in relation to the Raven in the mountains of this and the adjoining county 

 of Sullivan where they are comparatively common; they can be heard ' ' croaking" at almost any time, 

 but, owing to their shy and retiring habits, they are hard to get. McCrea. 



t Ravens breed regularly on high mountain ridges, in tops of tallest pine trees, in Elk county, on Dent's 

 run, a branch of Benezett creek, which flows into the Susquehanna at Driftwood. In the last seven 

 years 1 have received seven or eight Ravens from different parts of Centre. Elk and Lycoming counties. 

 Eldon. 



