BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 203 



The crow, readily recognized by its large size and glossy black plum- 

 age, is a common resident of Pennsylvania during all months of the 

 year. This species ranges throughout different portions of North 

 America, but is found chiefly in the eastern United States. In this lo- 

 cality the crow commences nest-building in the latter part of April ; 

 both sexes engage in this work which is completed in from three to five 

 days. The nest, a very bulky structure, measuring about 20 inches in 

 diameter and 10 inches in depth, is made up of sticks, twigs, bark, leaves, 

 etc. It is built usually in an oak, chestnut or other tree, in an unfre- 

 quented woods ; nests are sometimes placed in low trees or bushes in 

 cedar thickets. The eggs vary greatly in size and color ; four to six in 

 number ; length about 1.65 by 1.19 inches in width ; light-greenish, 

 spotted brown and black with purplish tints. The note of this well- 

 known bird is a loud harsh caw. During the early spring, fall and win- 

 ter months this species is gregarious ; flocks numbering from fifty to 

 several hundred individuals are frequently observed scattered over the 

 fields, meadows, along the highways, or in the woods searching for food. 

 At night these birds resort in great numbers to favorite roosting-places, 

 such as pine forests or cedar thickets. In the late spring and summer, 

 crows are particularly destructive to young poultry, the eggs and young of 

 small birds, and frequently nests of the domestic fowls, especially guineas 

 and turkeys that often wander to a considerable distance from the farm 

 house to lay, are also pillaged. These birds, as every farmer is well 

 aware, commit more or less mischief in the cornfields. 



Although the crow will rob the nest of any small bird which he can 

 get at, the nests of the Eobin, Wood Thrush, Catbird and Dove are the 

 ones I have usually seen disturbed. The injury which the crow occa- 

 sions by his egg-sucking, bird-devouring habit is, it is affirmed by emi- 

 nent authorities, more than compensated for by the large numbers of 

 noxious insects and mammals which he devours. Twelve of these birds 

 taken in winter and examined by me had in their stomachs only vegeta- 

 ble materials, viz: Corn, oats, acorns, small seeds and berries. From 

 such limited investigations I am unable to say whether the crow is a 

 friend or an enemy to the farmer. 



The following extract is taken from Prof. W. B. Barrow's report : * 



SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE FROM ALL SOURCES. 



It appears, therefore, from a careful consideration of all testimony, published and 

 unpublished, thaW 



I. Crows seriously damage the corn crop, and inj ure other grain crops usually to 

 a less extent. 



II. They damage other farm crops to some extent, frequently doing much mis- 

 chief. 



III. They are very destructive to the eggs and young of domestic fowls. 



IV. They do incalculable damage to the eggs and young of native birds. 



* Annual report of the U. S. Dept. of Agrl.. 1888. Food of Crows, by Walter B. Barrows. S. B.. Assis- 

 istant Ornithologist. 



