126 
SINGING BIRDS. 
and west to the Pacific; but to which form the birds found in the 
Eastern States are to be referred, has not been settled by the 
authorities. 
Of late years the Raven has almost forsaken the New England 
shores, though it is still numerous around the Bay of Fundy, and 
occurs locally in small numbers along the entire coast of the 
Atlantic, and throughout this faunal province. It is more abundant 
to the westward of the Mississippi. 
CROW. 
CORVUS AMERICANUS. 
Char. Black, with gloss of purple tinge. Length 17 to 21 inches. 
In a tree ; made of sticks and twigs, lined with grass and leaves. 
4-6 ; sea-green to dull olive, blotched with brown ; 1.70 X 1.20. 
The Crow, like the Raven, which it greatly resembles, is a 
denizen of nearly the whole world. It is found even in New 
Holland and the Philippine Islands, but is rare in Sweden, 
where the Raven abounds. It is also common in Siberia, and 
plentiful in the Arctic deserts beyond the Lena. 
The native Crow is a constant and troublesomely abundant 
resident in most of the settled districts of North America, 
as well as an inhabitant of the Western wilds throughout 
the Rocky Mountains, to the banks of the Oregon and the 
shores of the Pacific. These birds only retire into the forests 
in the breeding season, which lasts from March to May. At 
this time they are dispersed through the woods in pairs, and 
roost in the neighborhood of the spot which they have selected 
for their nest ; and the conjugal union, once formed, continues 
for life. They are now very noisy, and vigilant against any 
intrusion on their purpose, and at times appear influenced by 
mutual jealousy, but never proceed to any violence. The 
tree they select is generally lofty, and preference seems often 
given to some dark and concealing evergreen. The nest is 
formed externally of small twigs coarsely interlaced together, 
plastered and matted with earth, moss, and long horse-hair. 
