Like the other species lield in sucli dread by the 
fanner, tliis bird is equally capable of doing- him 
Family— CORVID.F. 
a favor and a mischief. It is, however, generally | 
AMEEICAN KAVEN [Corvus corax; var. carniv- 
believed that the general good offices in destroying 
orus). — In New England this bird is extremely rare. 
the worms and grubs very far outweigli n.ny occa- j 
though on the island of Grand Menan, off the north- 
sional and special damage he may inflict. Wilson j 
east coast of Maine, it occasionally breeds. On the 
records a singular habit of this bird — that of form- 
steep and almost inaccessible cliffs its nest is built. 
ing an attachment to the Fish Hawk. The nest of 
composed of twigs, sea-weed and pieces of turf, and 
the latter is of very large dimensions, often from 
lined with the softer algse of the shores. The eggs 
three to four feet in breadth, and from three to four 
are four or five in number, and almost exactly resem- 
feet high, conqjosed of large sticks or fagots, among 
ble those of the Crow, but are a little larger. 'I’he 
the interstices of which sometimes three or four 
Raven is a general inhabitant of the United States, 
pairs of Crow Jilackbirds will construct their nests, 
l)ut is more common in the interior. On the lakes 
while the Hawk is sitting or hatching above. Hei-e 
of the north-west, and particularly around Niagara 
each pursues the duties of incubation and of rearing 
Falls, they are abundant. Where the Ravens are 
their young, living in the greatest harmony. 
common the Crows seldom frequent. The American 
BEONZED GKAKLE [Q. arneiis). — ^'I'his is a variety of 
Raven has been considered as identical with the 
the latter, named by Mr. Kidgway in Birds of North 
species which Wilson says “is found almost all over 
America,. 'I'hey are migratory and gregarious. In 
the whole habitable globe.” Baird says: “Most 
Illinois they are i-esident throughout the year. In 
writers agree in considering this and the European 
the vicinity of Calais, in Maine, they breed habitually. 
species distinct, although Mr. Audubon maintained 
FLOEIDA GEAKLE [Q. aglmus). — This is the 
the contrary.” The Raven is an excellent linguist. 
smallest of the genus within the limits of North 
acquiring the art of conversation with wonderful 
America. It seems to be confined exclusively to the 
rapidity, and retaining, with a singularly powerful 
peniiisula of Florida. It differs from the purpureus 
memory, many sounds which it has once learned. 
and the reneus, besides, in its much smaller size, in 
Whole sentences are acquired, and repeated with 
having a more slender and a more decurved bill. All 
great accuracy of intonation, the voice being a good 
the colors are darker, but softer than in the others. 
imitation of human speech. 'I'he Raven is also 
It is lately placed as a variety only of the purpureus. 
noted for its longevity, many instances being known 
BOAT-TAILED GKAKLE (Q. major), or Jackdaw. 
where it has attained the age of seventy or eighty 
'I'his is a large species, inhabiting the Southern 
years without losing its activity or brilliancy of eye. 
Atlantic and Culf coasts, and also the mouth of 
The color of the Raven is a uniform blue-black. 
the Rio Crande, Texas. Specimens were found in 
with green reflections in certain lights. 'I’he female 
Rrownsville, 'i'exas, associated with the macroui'us, 
is always larger than the male. 'I’he food of this 
or Creat-tailed Crakle. "The ceral region and space 
bird is almost entirely of an animal nature; they 
. around the eye are quite bare of feathers.” — Baird. 
even exhibit a desire at times to attack wounded 
GKEAT-TAILED GKAKLE [Q. macrourus). — This is 
animals for purpo.ses of jirey. 
recorded in the late work of Frof. Baird as a var- 
WHITE-NECKED CROW [G. cryptoleucus).— V\m 
iely of the latter. It is three inches longer, being 
is a southern species, inhabiting the valley of the 
eighteen inches, with a wing seven aiid a half inches. 
Rio Grande and Gila, and abundant on Llano Esta- 
“ The graduation of the tail in this species is very 
cado. 'I'he general color is the same as in the Com- 
great, the distances between the tips of the outer 
mon Crow. “Its most striking, distinctive feature. 
tail feather and the next being 1.30 inches, and de- 
however, is seen in the feathers of the neck all 
creasing successively with the rest. There is some- 
round, upper part of the back, and the whole breast, 
thing quite peculiar in the softness and closeness of 
which are pure snowy-white for about their basal 
the feathers on the head, which stand. almost erect. 
half. 'I'he feathers of the head are plumbeous at the 
bke the pile of velvet. Habitat, valley of the lower 
base ; the greatest intensity of white is on the lower 
Rio Grande of Texas, southward.” — Baird. 
part of the neck ; the color fades out on the buck 
and belly into plumbeous. In no other North 
Family— STURNID^F. 
American Crow is there any approach to this cot- 
The Starlings. 
tony whiteness. 'J’his character, with its smaller 
size, will at once serve to distinguish it from anv 
STABLING [Sturnus vulgaris) — Plate 12, fig. 40. — 
other Ravens in the United States.” — Baird. 
A place is given this bird in the Fauna of North 
COMMON CROW ((7. amerieanus). — 'I’liis familial- 
America,” says Prof. Baird, " as an occasional and 
bird is abundant throughout North America to the 
rare visitant of Greenland. It is a well-known cage 
Missouri region, and is also common on the coast of 
bird ; an interesting and entertaining pet. It has 
California, but is not found on the high central 
been taught to whistle tunes, and even to imitate 
plains. In New England, during mild winters, it is 
the human voice. In its natural state it is very 
resident through the year. 'I’he Crow is eminenLly 
social, and lives in flocks.” 1 have often listened to 
gregarious in its habits. Says AVilson : “ 'I’owards 
one which whistled most beautifully an operatic air. 
the close of summer, the parent Crows, with their 
It was one of several fine singers belonging to .Mr. 
new families, forsaking their solitary lodgings, collect 
Hoff, of Union Square, New York. 
together, as if by [u-evious agreement, when evening 
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