CROWS, JAYS, ETC. 275 



sticks are placed on little shelves in almost inaccessible 

 places. They also breed along the rocky coasts of Maine, 

 New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia. 



The raven lays from two to five eggs; in shape and 

 coloration they resemble the eggs of the crow, but like the 

 bird are considerably larger. 



CROW 



Crows range from northern Mexico to the Arctic regions, 

 where they are then replaced by their larger relative, the 

 northern raven. Crows which breed from northern United 

 States northward usually migrate at the beginning of cold 

 weather; in other localities, they are generally resident. 

 The Florida, fish, and northwestern crows inhabit the 

 extreme portions of North America and are all closely 

 allied to our common crow, the principal differences being 

 in the size of the bills, feet, and wings. A typical crow is 

 entirely black with a metallic luster which is suggestive of 

 purple or steel blue. 



The female is slightly smaller than her mate. Crows 

 adapt themselves to almost any diet; in fact, the bill of 

 fare is as varied as are the call notes. Fruits, seeds, grain, 

 insects, crawfish, carrion, eggs, and young birds are all 

 agreeable to a crow's palate; it is doubtful if he destroys 

 enough insects to pay for his depredations. 



Crows are intelligent birds, possessing calls so varied 

 that naturalists have termed it a " Crow language." When 

 taken young they may be taught to speak. They are 

 cunning, mischievous, inquisitive, and daring, so their repu- 



