300 THE NUT-CRACKER CROW. 



from them in this particular, that the latter generally retire to the shore, the reeds, and marshes, 

 to roost, while the Fish Crow always a little before sunset seeks the interior high woods to 

 repose in. 



"On my journey through the Mississippi territory last year, I resided for some time at 

 ■the seat of my hospitable friend, Dr. Samuel Brown, a few miles from Fort Adams, on the 

 Mississippi. In my various excursions there, among the lofty fragrance-breathing magnolia 

 woods and magnificent scenery that adorn the luxuriant face of nature in these southern 

 regions, this species of Crow frequently make its apj)earance, distinguished by the same voice 

 and habits it had in Georgia. 



"There is in many of the ponds there, a singular kind of lizard, that swims about with its 

 head above the surface, making a loud sound not unlike the harsh jarring of a door. These, 

 the Crow now before us would frequently seize with his claws as he flew along the surface, and 

 retire to the summit of a dead tree to enjoy his repast. Here I also observed him a pretty 

 constant attendant at the pens where the cows were usually milked, and much less shy, less 

 suspicious, and more solitary than the common Crow. In the county of Cape May, New 

 Jersey, I again met Avith these Crows, particularly along Egg-Harbor river, and latterly on the 

 Schuykill and Delaware, near Philadelijliia, during the season of shad and herring fishing, 

 viz., from the middle of March until the beginning of June. A small party of these Crows 

 during this period regularly passed Mr. Bertram's gardens to the high woods to roost every 

 evening a little before sunset, and as regularly returned at a little before sunrise every morn- 

 ing, directing their course towards the river. The fishermen along these rivers also inform me 

 that they have particularly remarked this Crow by his croaking voice and his fondness for 

 fish ; almost always hovering about their fishing-places to glean up the refuse. 



"Of their manner of breeding I can only say that they separate into pairs and build in 

 tall trees near the sea or river shore ; one of their nests having been built this season in a piece 

 of tall woods near Mr. Beasley's, at Great Egg Harbor. From the circumstance of six or 

 seven being usually seen here together, in the month of July, it is j>robable that they have at 

 least four or five yoimg at a time." 



The color of the Fish Crow is deep steel-blue, appearing black in certain lights, and glazed 

 in many jilaces with rich purple. When closed, the tips of the wings do not reach ^A-ithin two 

 inches of the end of tlie tail. 



An American species, named the Noithwestern Fish Crow, inhabits Washington Territory 

 and the northwest coast. It is much like the common Crow, differing somewhat in size. 



The common Fish Crow is a southern species. It is exceedingly abundant in Florida, but 

 is an occasional straggler in New England. It is readily distingiiished from the common Crow 

 by its size, lieing smaller, and by certain differences of bill and tail-feathers. The gloss of the 

 belly is green instead of violet. 



The very curious bird which is known by the appropriate name of the Bald Crow is so 

 different in aspect from the remainder of the genus, that it has been separated from them by 

 common consent. 



It hardly looks lilce a Crow, but reminds the observer of a cross between the hooded Crow, 

 the darter, and the leather-head. Although small and slender in make, it is longer than many 

 birds of much greater proportions, on account of the extremely long neck. The legs, too, are 

 much more elongated than in any of the true Crows. Tlie head is entirely denuded of feathers, 

 or even hairs, and is covered with a blackish-brown skin, di-awn closely over the skull and 

 bones of the head. On the back of the head and neck, the place of feathers is supplied by a 

 scanty covering of white down. The back is black-brown, as is also the tail, and the wings are 

 of a remarkably pure and beautiful mouse-brown. The neck, throat, and imder surface are 

 yeUowish-white. The total length of this bird is about fifteen inches. 



The small but handsome and striking bird which is popularly called the Nut-cracker 

 Crow is tolerably common in several j^arts of Europe, and has been seen in Switzerland 



