JIM CROW AND HIS COUSINS. 



While much can be said about the 

 beaut)' and grace of birds of brilliant 

 plumage and those of soul-stirring song, 

 there is as much to be written concern- 

 ing those noted for their sagacity and 

 cunning. Some have selected the par- 

 rot as the model in this particular and 

 the choice is not a mistake 



There is, however, a tribe which all 

 may observe more or less, while a story 

 relating to their habits or pranks will 

 ever find willing listeners. The Crow is 

 the best known of this genus, and 

 grouped with him are the chough, the 

 raven, the rook and the jackdaw. All 

 of these may be tamed, and afterward 

 may be taught to use the language of 

 man. 



The plumage of the Crow in the north- 

 ern parts of the world is black, and we 

 are so accustomed to that color that to 

 speak of a white or of a spotted Crow 

 might subject one to ridicule, yet in 

 many parts of the world such Crows are 

 found. Some are gray and black, and 

 some species are larger than others. They 

 are characterized by a comparatively 

 short tail, long wings, and a strong, 

 rather conical beak. 



Crows are distinguished from ravens 

 by their smaller size, and by the feath- 

 ers of the neck blending with those of 

 the body, while on the ravens, the neck- 

 feathers are pointed and distinct. The 

 Crow family is widely distributed, but 

 Crows, as properly understood, are main- 

 ly inhabitants of the north temperate 

 zone. They are intelligent, wary birds 

 (when persecuted), and are practically 

 omnivorous, feeding upon fish, fowl, 

 eggs, snakes, frogs, crabs, shell-fish, 

 grubs, fruits, seeds and berries. The 

 common Crow of North America is par- 

 ticularly abundant in the Eastern United 

 States, and is looked upon as the invet- 

 erate foe of the farmer on account of the 

 amount of injury he inflicts on growing 

 crops, and especially upon corn. There 

 is, however, a credit side to the account 

 in the destruction of grubs ; but as the 



Crow is by nature such a pilferer, he 

 must be regarded as harmful in many 

 ways. 



In the fall and winter these glossy 

 birds assemble by thousands in great 

 roosts, or rookeries ; one of these roosts 

 on the Potomac above Washington has 

 been estimated to harbor 40,000 Crows, 

 while others are still larger. In the gray 

 of the morning the birds leave in clam- 

 orous crowds for their feeding-grounds, 

 often many miles away, and in the after- 

 noon may be seen winging their way 

 homeward in long lines, high above the 

 earth in fair weather, low down in foul. 

 The eastern fish crow, frequently found 

 in company with the others, is a smaller 

 bird, and can readily be distinguished 

 by its hoarse caw. 



The Carrion Crow of Europe and Asia 

 closely resembles the North American 

 Crow in form, size and habits, but is per- 

 haps a little more destructive, attacking 

 and killing lambs, or even weakly sheep. 

 The Hooded Crow, found in northern 

 and eastern Europe and in many parts of 

 Asia, is gray, with black head, throat, 

 wings and tail. The Gray-necked Crow 

 of India is a small but bold and mischiev- 

 ous species, often stealing the very food 

 from the table. On the other hand, it 

 does much good as a scavenger, form- 

 ing an able adjunct to the vultures in this 

 respect. 



An interesting story is told of a Crow 

 of this species which had been tamed 

 and petted until it behaved much as 

 would a spoiled child. "Old Crusty," 

 as he was called, would actually take the 

 food away from the dog while he was 

 eating, not by open encounter, for that 

 would have deprived him of his fun. 

 But he would tease the poor canine un- 

 til he barked from vexation, then snatch 

 up the prey and triumphantly bear it off 

 to a neighboring tree, where he ate it at 

 his leisure, while the dog stood looking 

 at him and uselessly venting his rage in 

 loud, threatening barks. 



The annual "muster" of the Crows, 



42 



