WINTER ROOSTING COLONIES OF CROWS. 343 



traditionally, that the Crow is of remarkably long life, and 

 although, as is easily seen, there are many obstacles in the way 

 of anything but the barest approximation, yet I believe the above 

 calculation is founded upon factors approximately correct. 



B. — The Avondale Roost. 

 Through the kindness of Dr. Pattison, of Baltimore, I have 

 been made aware of a roost near Avondale, Carroll County, Md. 

 I visited this colony on March 3rd, spending half a day at the 

 roost and in the immediate vicinity. The Crows here have 

 selected the slope of a high hill upon which is a thick growth of 

 deciduous trees, the oak and the chestnut prevailing. This hill 

 belongs to a range extending some fifteen or twenty miles from 

 north-east to south-west, parallel to the mountains which, some 

 twenty-five miles away, can be seen from its crest. The exposure 

 of the slope is toward the south, and so the Crows in adopting 

 this site are quite protected from the cold northern winds which 

 prevail in winter. There are large tracts of woods adjoining this 

 roost, but only when driven away by shooting do the Crows leave 

 this favourite hillside. They have roosted here for about ten 

 years. The general life of this colony is much as at the Arbutus 

 roost, and I should judge the two colonies to be of about the 

 same size. 



Crow Legislation. 



The legislation upon Crows in Maryland has been quite 

 extensive, the first law for their destruction having been framed 

 in 1704, in connection with one for the destruction of Wolves. 

 A part of the section relating to Crows is as follows :— " . . . Every 

 person that shall bring or cause to be brought to any of the 

 Justices of the peace in any county within this province the head 

 of a Crow with a perfect Bill shall be allowed the sum of six 

 pounds of Tobacco and the Justice of the peace before whom 

 such Crows heads shall be brought shall cause the Bill to be 

 cut off to prevent the deceit of twice or oftener paying therefor." 

 This law, in 1707, was continued for three years, then revived in 



reported to live long, sometimes to a hundred years. . . . But the Crow, like 

 unto him in most things (except in greatness and voice), lives not altogether 

 so long, and yet is reckoned amongst long livers."— Bacon, quoted in Essay 

 on ' Comparative Longevity in Man and the Lower Animals,' Lankester, 

 London, 1870, p. 67. 



