90 THE AMERICAN CROW. 



may be found near each other, their proximity is never such as occurs in the 

 case of the Fish-Crow, of which many nests may be seen on the same tree. 



When the nest of this species happens to be discovered, the faithful pair 

 raise such a hue and cry that every Crow in the neighbourhood immediately 

 comes to their assistance, passing in circles high over the intruder until he 

 has retired, or following him, if he has robbed it, as far as their regard for 

 the safety of their own will permit them. As soon as the young leave the 

 nest, the family associates with others, and in this manner they remain in 

 flocks till spring. Many Crows' nests may be found within a few acres of 

 the same wood, and in this particular their habits accord more with those 

 of the Rooks of Europe (Corvus friigilegus), which breed and spend their 

 time in communities. The young of our Crow, like that of the latter species, 

 are tolerable food when taken a few days before the period of their leaving 

 the nest. 



The flight of the American Crow is swift, protracted, and at times per- 

 formed at a great elevation. They are now and then seen to sail among the 

 Turkey Buzzards or Carrion Crows, in company with their relatives the 

 Fish-Crows, none of the other birds, however, shewing the least antipathy 

 towards them, although the Vultures manifest dislike whenever a White- 

 headed Eagle comes among them. 



In the latter part of autumn and in winter, in the Southern States, this 

 Crow is particularly fond of frequenting burnt grounds. Even while the 

 fire is raging in one part of the fields, the woods, or the prairies, where tall 

 grass abounds, the Crows are seen in great numbers in the other, picking up 

 and devouring the remains of mice and other small quadrupeds, as well as 

 lizards, snakes, and insects, which have been partly destroyed by the flames. 

 At the same season they retire in immense numbers to roost by the margins 

 of ponds, lakes, and rivers, covered with a luxuriant growth of rank weeds 

 or cat-tails. They may be seen proceeding to such places more than an hour 

 before sunset, in long straggling lines, and in silence, and are joined by the 

 Grakles, Starlings, and Reed-birds, while the Fish-Crows retire from the 

 very same parts to the interior of the woods many miles distant from any 

 shores. 



No sooner has the horizon brightened at the approach of day, than the 

 Crows sound a reveille, and then with mellowed notes, as it were, engage in 

 a general thanksgiving for the peaceful repose they have enjoyed. After 

 this they emit their usual barking notes, as if consulting each other respect- 

 ing the course they ought to follow. Then parties in succession fly off to 

 pursue their avocations, and relieve the reeds from the weight that bent 

 them down. 



The Crow is extremely courageous in encountering any of its winged 



