BIRDS OP MASSACHUSETTS. 287 



bles, and seeds ; snakes, frogs, and other reptiles are also to its 

 taste ; it does not despise worms, grubs, and insects ; and if 

 hungry, will eat the flesh of animals when so far decayed that 

 even an epicure would reject it. Farmers are very bitter in 

 their feeling toward the crow, but perhaps they would be more 

 moderate in their resentment at his depredations, if they were 

 aware, that the cut-worm has the benefit of all their efforts to 

 destroy the crow. Whether that voracious grub will feel any 

 gratitude for this protection, may be doubted. 



The crow selects the most retired places for its nest, forming 

 it of dry twigs interwoven with grass and plastered with mud 

 or clay, with a lining of fibrous roots and feathers. The eggs 

 are from four to six, of a pale green spotted and clouded with 

 olive or blackish brown. Both the male and female sit, and 

 are remarkable for their attachment to their young as well as 

 to each other. If any nest is approached, all the crows in the 

 neighborhood gather in crowds and express their disgust at 

 the transaction. As soon as the young are able to fly, the 

 parents introduce them into the community of crows, and they 

 remain in flocks till the spring. It is needless to say that they 

 spend the winter here. 



The BLUE JAY, Corvus cristatus, one of the most graceful 

 and elegant of all the feathered race, is very troublesome to 

 other birds, which he persecutes by stealing their eggs ; and 

 sometimes by destroying their young ; but he can hardly be 

 called a nuisance by the farmer, since it is only in winter, that 

 he comes into enclosures in search of food, and then he takes 

 little, except what has accidentally fallen from the corn-house 

 or the barn. In the southern states, his depredations are much 

 greater, and the planters soak their seed in a solution of arse- 

 nic, which proves fatal to the robber. These birds are said to 

 abound at the south in winter ; but if any really migrate from 

 Massachusetts, it must be but a small proportion ; since, if a 

 handful of corn be anywhere thrown upon the snow, it will be 

 very soon surrounded with a busy and animated party ; and, 

 bad as their reputation is, no one can help admiring their beau- 



