LIST AND DESCRIPTION 105 



488. Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos.) 



Perhaps the best known bird in South Dakota. An annual 

 resident, gathering in large flocks during the fall and winter and 

 migrating south or east a little way to find more suitable feed- 

 ing grounds. In the spring they scatter in pairs over the State 

 to nest. 



The economic value of the Crow is perhaps a matter of 

 conditions and numbers. The writers have watched hundreds, 

 day after day, making a meal from grasshoppers in the alfalfa 

 fields along the Missouri River. This was during the summers 

 of 1916 to 1919 inclusive, when the grasshoppers were a pest in 

 that locality. To the settlers along the river the crows were a 

 valuable asset,- while perhaps in other parts of the State they 

 were committing acts of depredation that would place them in 

 disrepute. 



491. Clarke's Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana.) 



Frequently seen in the pine forests of the Black Hills. 



Slightly larger than the Canada Jay, but similar in color. 

 Whole body ashy gray. Wings and middle tail feathers black; 

 outer tail feathers white. Habits much like those of the Pinon 



Jay. 



492. Pinon Jay ( Cyanocephalus cyanocephalus.) 



Locally abundant in the Black Hills and forest reserves 

 of Harding County. Has been seen in Douglas and Washabaugh 

 counties, and may be found anywhere west of the Missouri 

 River where a few pine trees are growing, as it feeds principally 

 on seeds from the cones of this tree. 



It is about the size of the Blue Jay. Its entire plumage 

 is uniform grayish blue. Except during the breeding season it 

 is usually seen in small flocks. 



FAMILY ICTERID^. BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, 

 MEADOWLARKS 



This is a family of weavers, and includes Orioles, Black- 

 birds, Meadowlarks, etc. These vary greatly in nest weaving 

 ability, power of song, and beauty of color, but constitute one 

 of our most charming and useful bird families. 



