FISH CROW. 



29 



the figures on the same plate. From the circumstance of six or 

 seven being usually seen here together, in the month of July, it is 

 probable that they have at least four or five young at a time. 



I can find no description of this species by any former writer. 

 Mr. Bartram mentions a bird of this tribe which he calls the Great 

 Sea-side Croxv; but the present species is considerably inferior in 

 size to the common Crow, and having myself seen and examined 

 it in so many and remotely situated parts of the country, and found 

 it in all these places alike, I have no hesitation in pronouncing it 

 to be a new and hitherto undescribed species. 



The Fish-Crow is sixteen inches long, and thirty-three in ex- 

 tent ; black all over, with reflections of steel-blue and purple ; the 

 chin is bare of feathers around the base of the lower mandible ; up- 

 per mandible notched near the tip, the edges of both turned inwards 

 about the middle; eye very small, placed near the corner of the 

 mouth, and of a dark hazel color; recumbent hairs or bristles large 

 and long, ear feathers prominent, first primary little more than half 

 the length, fourth the longest; wings when shut reach within two 

 inches of the tip of the tail; tail rounded, and seven inches long 

 from its insertion ; thighs very long; legs stout ; claws sharp, long 

 and hooked, hind one the largest, all jet black. Male and female 

 much alike. 



I would beg leave to recommend to the watchful farmers of 

 the United States, that in their honest indignation against the com- 

 mon Crow, they would spare the present species, and not shower 

 destruction indiscriminately on their black friends and enemies; 

 at least on those who sometimes plunder them, and those who never 

 molest or injure their property. 



VOL. v. 



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