172 
CROW. 
the latter are seldom observed in that country. In travelling 
from Nashville to Natchez, a distance of four hundred and sev- 
enty 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 dispers- 
ed over the woods in pairs, and roost in the neighbourhood of 
the tree they have selected for their nest. About tbe 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 
with numerous specks and blotches of olive. 
During this interesting season, the male is extremely watch- 
ful, 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 dis- 
tance, till the intruder has gone past. He also regularly carries 
food to his mate while she is sitting; occasionally 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, digging up the 
newly planted grains of maize, pulling up by the roots those 
that have begun to vegetate, and thus frequently obliging the 
farmer to replant, or lose the benefit of the soil; and this 
sometimes twice, and even three times, occasioning a consider- 
able additional expense and inequality of harvest. No mercy is 
now shown him. The myriads of worms, moles, mice, caterpil- 
lars, 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 young chickens, he 
