160 



BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



burst open the burrs of chestnuts and beechnuts, and exposed the 

 brown, ripe fruit to view, these form a palatable and acceptable food, 

 and a large share of these delicious nuts fall to the portion of these 

 busy and garrulous birds." 



The food materials of Jays which I have examined are given in the 

 following table : 



SUBFAMILY CORVINE. CROWS. 

 GENUS CORVUS. LINNAEUS. 



488. Corvus americanus, AUD.. 



American Crow. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Bill, legs and feet black ; iris brown ; plumage glossy black with violet reflec- 

 tions, brightest on wing-coverts, tail and back ; top of head frequently without me- 

 tallic tint young usually dull black. The male is larger than the female, and meas- 

 ures about 19 inches in length and 38 inches in extent. 



Hab. North America from the fur countries to Mexico. 



The Crow, readily recognized by its large size and glossy black 

 plumage, is a common resident in Pennsylvania during all months of 

 the year. This species ranges throughout different portions of North 

 America, but is found chiefly in the eastern United States. In this 

 locality the Crow commences nest-building in the latter part of April; 

 both sexes engage in this work which is completed in from three to 

 five days. The nest, a very bulky structure, measuring about 20 inches 



