The Western Crow 



A typical Crow's nest is a very substantial affair, as our illustration 

 shows. Upon a basis of coarse sticks, a mat of dried leaves, grasses, bark- 

 strips, and dirt, or mud, is impressed. The deep rounded bowl thus 

 formed is carefully lined with the inner bark of the willow, or with twine, 

 horse-hair, cow-hair, rabbit-fur, wool, or any other soft substance avail- 

 able. When completed, the nesting hollow is seven or eight inches across 

 and three or four deep. The expression "Crow's nest," as used to 

 indicate disarray, really arises from the consideration of old nests. Since 

 the birds resort to the same locality year after year, but never use an 

 old nest, the neighboring structures of successive years come to represent 

 every stage of dilapidation. 



North or South, April is the nesting month for all proper Crows. 

 March eggs are of record, and, of course, a few laggards show up in May. 

 Such matters as time and place appear to be pretty rigidly ordained by 

 the clan or community council, for Crows are loosely gregarious, even in 

 their nesting. While one rarely sees occupied nests in adjoining trees, 



Taken in Riverside County 



Photo by Wright M. Pierce 



NEST AND EGGS OF WESTERN CROW 



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