ii6 



A MERICAN ORNITHOL O G V. 



ler. Whichever was the cause, the latter was the result, for I never was 

 believed about his playing possum. 



The female is always the first to perceive danger and is the first to 

 dive or take flight. They are known here by the local names of Crap- 

 pie-crown, Fish Duck and Tow-head. 



HOODED MERGANSER, FEMALE. 



THE CROW. 



No bird is more generally known and less appreciated than the Crow, 

 Corviis amerieaiius. His tribal family is very widely distributed, and it 

 has been given distinguished prominence in sacred and profane history, 

 and in the legends, folk-lore, and literature of many lands. 



While the Magpies and Blue Jays, like many of the human family, 

 are more distinguished by their dress than by their manners, they and 

 their cousins, the Ravens, Rooks, and Jack Daws, are all held in higher 

 esteem than is their congenor, the Crow, which is by common consent 

 called the bird of ill omen. The peculiarities and eccentricities of the 

 former, their freaks and foibles, their pertinacity and mischief, are 

 known only to be explained, apologized for, and condoned; but no one 

 cares to be known as the friend or champion of the Crow. 



