BiEDS OF Indiana. 881 



*186. (488). Corvus americanus Aud. 



Common Crow. 



SynonymSjCROW, American Cbow. 



Adult. — Plumage, uniform black, with violet gloss; feathers on neck, 

 short, rounded, not disconnected from others; bill ajid feet, black; 

 iris, brown; tail but slightly rounded. 



Length, 18.50-19.50; wing, 13.00-13.50; tail, 6.90-8.00; bill, 1.80- 

 3.05. 



Eange. — North America, from Mexico north to Labrador, Hudson 

 Bay to Anderson Eiver (lat. 68°) and Alaska. Breeds throughout its 

 I'ange, except Florida. 



Nest, in trees; of sticks, weeds, grass, leaves, lined with grass, wool, 

 hair and other finer material. Eggs, 4-8; bluish-green, olive-green or 

 olive-buff; irregularly blotched and spotted with different shades of 

 brown and gray; 1.63 by 1.15. 



Very common throughout the State; resident, but not so common 

 in winter northward. They are partially gregarious, collecting in col- 

 onies, called "roosts," in October and November and breaking up in 

 March. During the day they range widely from these roosts, and at 

 night return to them. Sometimes these "roosts" are maintained for 

 years at the same place; again, they change their location often. The 

 roosts vary much in size; some of the larger ones being estimated 

 to contain 100,000 to 300,000 crows. The following roosts have been 

 reported from Indiana: (1) One in Wayne County, changed several 

 times, locations given as 1^ to 10 miles from Eichmond; a roost near 

 Boston, that county, may be one of the sites of the same birds (W. S. 

 Eatliff). (3) In Eush County, in a soft maple swamp near Milroy, 

 has been there "always." Most numerous in late summer, at "roast- 

 ing-ear" time, when farmers have to fight them to save their corn; 

 sometimes found there by the thousands (Lon Innis). (3) 

 In Turner's Grove, near Bloomington, quite extensive (W. S. 

 Blatchley). (4) One near Terre Haute (W. S. Blatchley, J. T. Seovell). 



(5) One in Shelby County, between London and Brookfield, has been 

 there for the past four winters (J. G. Perry). There was one for 

 6 or 7 years near Fairland, in a grove of about 15 acres' extent. 

 Five or six years ago the boys disturbed them, and they left and lo- 

 cated 4 or 5 miles southwest of the old site (Willard Fields). As I 

 understand it, this new site is the same one mentioned by Mr. Perry. 



(6) One near Irvington, several years ending with 1893 or 1894 (G. S. 



56— Geol. 



