Am. Crow SONG-BIRDS. 



selves and for their young, and nothing will do for them but 

 fresh eggs and tender squabs from the nests of the Song- 

 birds ; to be followed later by berries, small fruit, and grain. 

 Samuels cites an instance where a pair of Canada Jays (the 

 more northern species) devoured the half-grown young of 

 four nests of Snowbirds, sixteen in all, in one forenoon, and 

 Audubon wrote that the Jay robs every nest it can find, 

 sucking the eggs like a Crow, and tearing the young to 

 pieces (like misdemeanors have taken place in my garden) ; 

 that it will destroy the eggs of pigeons and domestic fowls 

 and, animal food failing, it will eat green corn, apples, peas, 

 etc. In short, it appropriates the best of everything, and 

 though it also destroys insects they do not counterbalance 

 its crimes. 



The following quotation is a good summary of this bird's 

 traits as well as the reasons why he is tolerated: "The 

 Jay is a very questionable character, whose entire lack of 

 moral dignity and high principle is attested by a life of in- 

 sincerity, dishonesty, and profligacy, and whose errors are 

 far from condoned by his fine personal appearance. But the 

 rascal has assurance, which is a great social lever, and so 

 continues to hold his own, even in New England, where he 

 is perfectly well known, and where, it would seem, the bad 

 luck of being found out is not an absolutely unpardonable 

 sin." STEARNS AND COUES, "New England Bird Life." 



SUB-FAMILY CORVINJE: CROWS. 

 American Crow : Corvus americanus. 



Length : 18-20 inches. 



Male and Female : Glossy black, with a purplish tinge. Wings which 



appear saw-toothed when flying. Bill and feet black. Female 



a less brilliant black. 



Song : A quavering " Kar-r-r-er-r ! " in spring. Call note," Caw-w ! " 

 Season: Resident. 



Breeds : All through North America. 

 Nest : Consisting of a platform of coarse sticks, upon which rests the 



nest proper, made of smaller twigs and deeply lined with cedar 



bark. Tall trees are chosen ; preferably evergreens. 

 178 



