COKVVS AMKKICANUS. 155 



l);in'iits must guard thorn very assiduously, for their homes are often placed in localities 

 where they are Cully exposed to storms. 1 saw one on the naked face of a cliff at Bird 

 K ).-k where every blast coining from the north-east must have blown against it. This was 

 in July so the nest was empty, but the Light Keeper assured me that the eggs were de- 

 posited as early as the first of April and that the adult birds -had succeeded in rearing a 

 brood which had ilown away some time before my visit. A week or two earlier, in June, 

 I found a nest containing young on a high cliff at Amherst Island. We were unable to 

 reach it without incurring great risk even with the aid of ropes, but we succeeded in 

 gaining a point quite near it where we could observe the young. The adults exhibited 

 considerable solicitude, as they flew distractedly about occasionally giving their harsh 

 cries, but taking great care, however, not to approach within gunshot of us. Caution 

 appears to be a special attribute of the Ravens for it is extremely difficult to procure a shot 

 at one, but, as they fly badly during a high wind which sweeps them out of their course, 

 they are frequently blown within shooting distance and my friend, Mr. G. W. Brown, suc- 

 ceeded in procuring one or two perfectly adult specimens in this way, but as this was in 

 in July they were moulting badly. 



The movements of the Ravens are much heavier than those of the Common Crow 

 which they resemble in many respects, and their flight is slower, but they sail more often 

 circling about high over head. These birds are migratory, large numbers coming from 

 the north to the Magdalen Islands and to Grand Menan during the winter. They are much 

 tamer during the severe cold weather and, as they give considerable trouble by killing 

 lambs as previously stated, the farmers at the latter named place are obliged to shoot them 

 in self-defense. Thus I knew one man who managed to secure sixteen in a single day but 

 they were unusually abundant that season. I think that they breed in the White Moun- 

 tains and also at Tyngsboro', Massachusetts, for I had a nestling fully fledged which was 

 obtained at the latter named place by Mr. Will Perham who states that he is positive they 

 nest in the vicinity. I have seen them on one or two occasions in the Alleghany Moun- 

 tains but they are very rare there, while they are occasionally found on the coast of New 

 Jersey. 



COEVTJS AMEEICANUS. 



Common Crow. 

 Corvus Americanus. AUD. Orn. Biog; II; 1834, 317. 



DESCRIPTION. 



SP. CH. Form, quite roboat Si/e, medium. Feet, stout. Tongue, somewhat fleshy, but thin and liorny at the tip, 

 I'ifi'l, ;>nd provided with terminal cilia which extends along the sides, black in color. Sternum, rather stout. Feathers of 

 'he nock, not lanoe-Bbaped. Feet. large 1 . Middle toe and claw, shorter than the tnrsu-i. 



ii. A'/ull. Uniform, lustrous Mack throughout, with violet reflections which are brightest on the l>ack, wings, 

 nnd tail. JSill ;ind feet, black. 



Young. Arc much duller throughout, an 1 the feather* on the head and neck nre slightly grayish. Mill, somewhat 

 lighter at tip. 



NsstKngt. Uniform, dull brownish-black, witb the wings and tail lustrous, for they are not moulted. Bill and Int. 

 brown. .S.-\cs, >imilar iu all sta^'i-*. 



