THE AMERICAN CROW. 



eggs may occur on successive or alternate days and the period of incubation 

 is variously estimated at from fourteen to eighteen days. 



It has been supposed that the Crow retires from our state except in very 

 mild winters. My impression is that this is not usually the case, but that 

 the birds congregate in vast winter companies or "roosts" of local restriction, 

 and chiefly within our borders. Ten such roosts have been reported by Pro- 

 fessor Butler from the neighboring state of Indiana, and it is improbable 

 that the habit of our birds materially differs. I have information of five 

 such roosts (including one across the Ohio River in West Virginia, opposite 

 Gallia County, and which is largely patronized by Ohio birds), noted at dif- 

 ferent times, but have no definite assurance of their permanency. A com- 

 plete record of the winter distribtition of the Crow in our state is very much 

 to be desired. 



Concerning the relative abundance of Crows, as compared with former 

 times, little can be positively determined. The continued denudation of our 

 timber throws many species of birds into false prominence, which may be alto- 

 gether misleading. Dr. Wheaton reported a notable decrease in the vicinity 

 of Columbus twenty years ago. They are abundant now. The species is sub- 

 ject to an epidemic called "roup," which assails the birds in their winter quar- 

 ters and materially reduces their numbers. This disease affects the eyes as 

 well as the pharynx and nasal passages, and has given rise to the belief that 

 the birds freeze their eyes at night in cold weather, — an absurd supposition, 

 since the head is securely tucked under the wing during the hours of slumber. 



Photo by J. 



