548 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX. 



but one specimen from Brown County, and Grundtvig, one from 

 Outagamie County, in 1882. Grundtvig, on the authority of residents, 

 states that it was formerly common in that county. Thirty to forty 

 years ago the raven was not a rare winter visitant to southern 

 Wisconsin, but of late years it is rarely seen. A single specimen shot 

 at Lake Koshkonong, November, 1891, by L. Kumlien and mounted 

 for Albion Academy, is the last real record we have, although others 

 have been 'seen.' We have met it at several points in northern 

 Wisconsin in late fall and winter, but more often along Lake Michi- 

 gan and Lake Superior than elsewhere. It is really common at 

 several points along Lake Superior, where it seems to replace the 

 Crow entirely. It is commonly found around the lake fishing sta- 

 tions." Mr. J. B. Mann of Woodruff, Vilas County, Wisconsin, who 

 is well acquainted with the Raven, informs me that a few are seen 

 every winter in that vicinity. 



The nest is large and bulky, composed of sticks and weeds, usually 

 built on trees or rocky cliffs. The eggs are from 3 to 7, greenish or 

 pale olive, thickly marked with brownish and olive. They measure 

 about 2.03 X 1.37 inches. 



221. Corvus brachyrhynchos Brehm. 



American Crow. 



Corvus americanus Aud., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 200. 



Distr. : North America, from British America to the Gulf of Mexico. 



Adult: General plumage, shiny black, the head, rather dull black; 

 the female is similar to the male, but smaller. 



Length, 17 to 19; wing, 12 to 13.50; tail, 6.50 to 8; bill, 1.70 to 2. 



This well known species is an abundant resident in Illinois and 

 Wisconsin. In spite of his reputation as an undesirable citizen and 

 although every man's hand is against him, the Crow seems eminently 

 able to take care of himself, and his numbers do not appear to 

 materially lessen. 



They seem to entertain an intense dislike to certain animals, espe- 

 cially an owl. Often the peaceful quiet of the woods is suddenly 

 broken by the harsh excited "cawing" of a flock of crows, who have 

 discovered a bird of that species quietly enjoying his diurnal siesta, 

 and the din rarely ceases until the hated bird has been driven from 

 his concealment and forced to seek other quarters. 



It breeds in April and early in May. The nest is a bulky structure, 

 composed of sticks and grass, placed in a tree, usually at some dis- 

 tance from the ground. The eggs are 4 to 6, usually bluish green or 



