340 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



of the Crows (C. americanus) inhabiting North America, and at 

 night an equal proportion in its eastern half." Mr. Rhodes was 

 evidently not familiar with the fact of large numbers of Crows 

 wintering in the far South and the West. 



That they fly from very long distances is shown by the fact 

 that there are usually a few individuals coming in with the main 

 body who, upon reaching the roosting-ground, are so exhausted 

 as to be unable to fly, and can only hop about as best they may 

 to escape their ground enemies. Upon Dec. 17th, 1887, were 

 caught two of these Crows, which, if I may so express it, had the 

 " flyer's cramp," for in every other respect they were apparently 

 in good condition, and are now in sound health. That the 

 muscles of flight had suffered a partial paralysis is shown by 

 the fact that in the course of a week they had so much recovered 

 that, had not their wings been clipped, they would probably have 

 flown away. 



The successive layers of autumn leaves and excrement left 

 by the Crows in winter have formed a remarkably rich compost 

 for the naturally rather poor soil. Upon a field formerly a part 

 of the woodland which formed this roost, but from which the 

 trees were cut three years ago, much larger crops have been 

 produced than from neighbouring fields. Upon this ground 

 many plants new to this part of the country, such as " river 

 weeds," have been noticed by the farmers. In some of the 

 excrement from this roost sent to Dr. Merriam were identified 

 the seeds of the sumach (Rhus glabra) and corn, but the seeds of 

 a species of plant, much more numerous than either of these, 

 could not be identified. Among the small stones, bits of brick, 

 and sand and broken shells were found fragments of Modiola 

 hamatus and Arvicola riparius. Thus it is evident what an 

 important part the Crows play in plant, and possibly animal 

 distribution. 



In this colony I have identified both the Common Crow 

 {Corviis americanus, Aud.), and the Fish Crow (C. ossifragus, 

 Wils.). The two species live together very contentedly, although 

 probably in the main seeking different feeding-grounds. I believe 

 the Common Crows are much the more numerous of the two ; 

 but on the wing they are scarcely distinguishable, except by 

 voice, and so the exact proportion of the two kinds is virtually 

 unattainable. 



