DESCRIPTIVE LIST 215 



to have been taken in Craven County. H. H. Brimley saw some near Beaufort on 

 June 4 and 8, 1892, which appear to have been the last recorded in that region. 



This bird usually builds its nest on cliffs in the most inaccessible situations, the 

 structure being composed of large sticks, lined with coarse grass and wool. The 

 same nest is used many years in succession. The eggs are four or five in number, 

 of a pale bluish green or light olive-green, spotted, blotched, or streaked with purple 

 and greenish brown. Size about 1.90 x 1.30. 



The Raven feeds readily on carrion. It also eats small mammals, young birds, 

 snails, and other animal food. 



200. Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos (Brehm). CROW. 



Description. Black. Gloss of plumage purplish violet, duller beneath. L.. 19.25: W., 12.20, 

 T., 7.50. 



Range in United States. Whole country, except here and there locally. 



Range in North Carolina. Whole State at all seasons, except on the higher mountains. 



FIG. 169. CROW. 



The Crow is doubtless the best known bird in North Carolina. It breeds in 

 April or May, usually building its nest in the top of a tall pine tree growing in a 

 retired situation. The nest is a heavy, compact structure, composed of twigs and 

 sticks and lined with leaves and grass. The eggs are four to six in number, in 

 color varying from pale bluish to an olive-green and thickly spotted and blotched 

 with dark brown. Size 1.70 x 1.20. 



The Crow is a bird of varied diet, not despising the farmer's newly planted corn, 

 nor the eggs and young of other birds. It is also quite partial to grubworms, cut- 

 worms, wireworms, and other insects, by the destruction of which it is of no small 

 service to the farmer. 



Pearson has known individual Crows to become of great annoyance to poultry 

 raisers, by developing a most unpleasant habit of eating newly hatched chickens, 

 and H. H. Brimley reports the killing of young Turkeys by Crows near White Lake. 

 In the light of all its misdeeds, the Crow will evidently have to eat many injurious 

 insects if the balance of popular sentiment is to swing in its favor. 



