82 CROW. 



distance of four hundred and seventy miles, I saw few or no 

 crows, but ravens frequently, and vultures in great numbers. 



The usual breeding time of the crow, in Pennsylvania, is 

 in March, April, and May, during which season they are 

 dispersed over the woods in pairs, and roost in the neighbour- 

 hood of the tree they have selected for their nest. About the 

 middle of March they begin to build, generally choosing a 

 high tree ; though I have also known them prefer a middle- 

 sized cedar. One of their nests, now before me, is formed 

 externally of sticks, wet moss, thin bark, mixed with mossy 

 earth, and lined with large quantities of horse hair, to the 

 amount of more than half a pound, some cow hair, and some 

 wool, forming a very soft and elastic bed. The eggs are 

 four, of a pale green colour, marked witli numerous specks 

 and blotches of olive. 



During this interesting season, the male is extremely 

 watchful, making frequent excursions of half a mile or so in 

 circuit, to reconnoitre ; and the instant he observes a person 

 approaching, he gives the alarm, when both male and female 

 retire to a distance till the intruder has gone past. He also 

 regularly carries food to his mate, while she is sitting ; occa- 

 sionally relieves her ; and, when she returns, again resigns 

 up his post. At this time, also, as well as until the young 

 are able to fly, they preserve uncommon silence, that their 

 retreat may not be suspected. 



It is in the month of May, and until the middle of June, 

 that the crow is most destructive to the corn fields, di2<nn<r 

 up the newly planted grains of maize, pulling up by the roots 

 those that have begun to vegetate, and thus frequently oblig- 

 ing the farmer to replant, or lose the benefit of the soil; and 

 this sometimes twice, and even three times, occasioning a 

 considerable additional expense, and inequality of harvest. 

 No mercy is now shown him. The myriads of worms, moles, 

 mice, caterpillars, grubs, and beetles, which he has destroyed, 

 are altogether overlooked on these occasions. Detected in 

 robbing the hens' nests, pulling up the corn, and killing the 



