406 ■ THE BALD CKOW. 



if something stuck in their throat, and varied into several undulations as they flew along. 

 Their manner of flying was also unhke the others, as they frequently sailed about without 

 flapping their wings, something in the manner of the raven ; and I soon perceived that 

 their food and their mode of procuring it were also different, their favourite haunts 

 being about the banks of the river, along which they usually sailed, dexterously snatching 

 up with their claws dead fish or other garbage that floated on the surface. At the 

 country seat of Stephen Elliot, Esq. near the Ogechee river, I took notice of these Crows 

 frequently perching on the backs of the cattle, like the magpie and jackdaw of Britain, 

 but never mingling with the common Crows, and differing from them in this particular, 

 that the latter generally retire to the shore, the reeds, and marshes, to roost, while 

 the Eish 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 appearance, 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, maldng 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 1 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 with these Crows, particularly along Egg- 

 Harbour river, and latterly on the Schuylkill and Delaware near Philadelphia, 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 morning, 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 Harbour. From the circum- 

 stance of six or seven being usually seen here together, in the month of July, it is 

 probable that they have at least four or five young at a time." 



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

 and glazed in many places with rich purple. When closed, the tips of the wings do 

 not reach within two inches of the end of the tail. 



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 like a Crow, but reminds the observer of a cross between the hooded 

 Crow, the darter, and the leather-head. Although smaU 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. The head is 

 entirely denuded of feathers, or even hairs, and is covered with a blackish brown skin, 

 drawn closely over the skull and bones of the head. On the back of the neck and head, 

 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 under surface are yellowish white. The total 

 length of this bird is about fifteen inches. 



