300 
THE NUT-CRACKER CROW. 
from them in this particular, that the latter generally retire to the shore, the reeds, and marshes, 
to roost, while the Fish Crow always a little before sunset seeks the interior high woods to 
repose in. 
“On my journey through the Mississippi territory last year, I resided for some time at 
the seat of my hospitable friend, Dr. Samuel Brown, a few miles from Fort Adams, on the 
Mississippi. In my various excursions there, among the lofty fragrance-breathing magnolia 
woods and magnificent scenery that adorn the luxuriant face of nature in these southern 
regions, this species of Crow frequently make its appearance, distinguished by the same voice 
and habits it had in Georgia; 
“ There is in many of the ponds there, a singular kind of lizard, that swims about with its 
head above the surface, making a loud sound not unlike the harsh jarring of a door. These, 
the Crow now before us would frequently seize with his claws as he flew along the surface, and 
retire to the summit of a dead tree to enjoy his repast. Here I also observed him a pretty 
constant attendant at the pens where the cows were usually milked, and much less shy, less 
suspicious, and more solitary than the common Crow. In the county of Cape May, Hew 
Jersey, I again met with these Crows, particularly along Egg-Harbor river, and latterly on the 
Schuykill and Delaware, near Philadelphia, during the season of shad and herring lishing, 
viz., from the middle of March until the beginning of June. A small party of these Crows 
during this period regularly passed Mr. Bertram’s gardens to the high woods to roost every 
evening a little before sunset, and as regularly returned at a little before sunrise every morn- 
ing, directing their course towards the river. The fishermen along these rivers also inform me 
that they have particularly remarked this Crow by his croaking voice and his fondness for 
fish ; almost always hovering about their fishing-places to glean up the refuse. 
“ Of their manner of breeding I can only say that they separate into pairs and build in 
tall trees near the sea or river shore ; one of their nests having been built this season in a piece 
of tali woods near Mr. Beasley’s, at Great Egg Harbor. 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.” 
The color of the Fish Crow is deep steel-blue, appearing black in certain lights, and glazed 
In many places with rich purple. When closed, the tips of the wings do not reach within two 
inches of the end of the tail. 
An American species, named the Northwestern Fish Crow, inhabits Washington Territory 
and the northwest coast. It is much like the common Crow, differing somewhat in size. 
The common Fish Crow is a southern species. It is exceedingly abundant in Florida, but 
is an occasional straggler in Hew England. It is readily distinguished from the common Crow 
by its size, being smaller, and by certain differences of bill and tail-feathers. The gloss of the 
belly is green instead of violet. 
The very curious bird which is known by the appropriate name of the Bald Crow is so 
different in aspect from the remainder of the genus, that it has been separated from them by 
common consent. 
It hardly looks like a Crow, but reminds the observer of a cross between the hooded Crow, 
the darter, and the leather-head. Although small and slender in make, it is longer than many 
birds of much greater proportions, on account of the extremely long neck. The legs, too, are 
much more elongated than in any of the true Crows. The head is entirely denuded of feathers, 
or even hairs, and is covered with a blackish -brown skin, drawn closely over the skull and 
bones of the head. On the back of the head and neck, the place of feathers is supplied by a 
scanty covering of white down. The back is black-brown, as is also the tail, and the wings are 
of a remarkably pure and beautiful mouse-brown. The neck, throat, and under surface are 
yellowish-white. The total length of this bird is about fifteen inches. 
The small but handsome and striking bird which is popularly called the Nut-cracker 
Crow is tolerably common in several parts of Europe, and has been seen in Switzerland 
