270 FISH-CROW. 



cattle, to search there for the larvae which frequently harbour in their 

 skin. 



During winter and spring, the Fish-crows are very fond of feeding on 

 many kinds of berries. After the frosts have imparted a rich flavour to 

 those of the cassina (Ilex Cassina), they are seen feeding on them in 

 flocks often amounting to more than a hundred individuals. They are 

 also fond of the berries of the holly (Ilex opaca), and of those of an exo- 

 tic tree now naturalized in South Carolina, and plentiful about Charles- 

 ton, the tallow-tree ( Stillingia sebifera). The seeds of this tree, which 

 is originally from China, are of a white colour when ripe, and contain a 

 considerable quantity of an oily substance. In the months of January 

 and February, these trees are covered by the crows, which greedily devour 

 the berries. As spring advances, and the early fruits ripen, the Fish- 

 crows become fond of the mulberry, and select the choicest of the ripe 

 figs, more especially when they are feeding their young. A dozen are 

 often seen at a time, searching for the tree which has the best figs, and so 

 troublesome do they become in the immediate vicinity of Charleston, that 

 it is found necessary to station a man near a fig-tree with a gun, not to 

 burn powder to drive the Crows away by the smell, but to fire in good 

 earnest at them. They eat pears also, as well as various kinds of huckle- 

 berries (Vaccinium), and I have seen tliem feeding on the berries of at 

 least one species of smilax. 



In the Floridas, Georgia, and the Carohnas, this species usually breeds 

 on moderate- sized trees of the loblolly pine (Pinus Toeda), making its 

 nest generally about twenty or thirty feet from the ground, towards the 

 extremities of the branches. In the State of New Jersey, where they are 

 frequently killed in common with the larger crow, in whose company they 

 are often found, they are more careful, and place their nests in the inte- 

 rior of the deepest and most secluded swamps. The nest is smaller than 

 that of the Common Crow, and is composed of sticks, moss, and grasses, 

 neatly finished or lined with fibrous roots. The eggs are from four to 

 six, and resemble those of the Common American Crow, but are smaller. 

 I once found several nests of this crow a few miles from Philadelphia, in 

 the State of Jersey, which were placed on high oaks and other trees. The 

 birds when disturbed, evinced much concern for the safety of their brood. 

 Although I have found this species breeding in different districts, from 

 February till May, I am unable to say decidedly whether it raises more 

 than one brood in the year, although I am of opinion that it does not. 



