7O Birds of Canada. 



ing marshes. General color, black, with purple 

 reflections. Nests, in low bushes near the water ; 

 eggs, four, bluish-white. It feeds upon the seeds 

 of aquatic grasses, insects, and worms. 



Quiscalus versicolor. The Purple Crackle. 



The Purple Crackle arrives in Ontario about 

 the middle of April. General color, steel-blue, 

 with varied reflections of purple and bronze. 

 Nests, in a tree in or near a marsh or pond ; 

 eggs, four, light brown. Food consists of grubs, 

 worms, and grains. These birds prove very 

 injurious to the farmers in the fall, as they 

 collect in large flocks, and visit the corn-fields, 

 destroying great quantities of grain. 



FAMILY CORVID^E. 



Sub-Family CORVIN7E. The Crows. 

 Corvus americanus. The Crow. 



This bird has a very unenviable notoriety. It 

 is an enemy to the farmer, and very destructive 

 to small birds, as it feeds upon their young. 

 Agricultural societies should offer a premium for 

 its destruction. 



Corvus cor ax. The Raven. 



This interesting bird has become very rare 

 in Canada. A few specimens are occasionally 



