258 
Jack. The tent has to be tightly closed against its sharp eyes and inquis- 
itive bill. Yet it does little real harm, its confiding presence is always 
welcomed, and its petty pilferings usually laughed at. Few wild things 
have as many human friends in the woods as this bird. It probably has 
the usual Jay fondness for eggs and young birds, but it does not flaunt 
its vices in our faces, and when man is present, devotes all its attention 
to salvaging waste scraps from camp. Though always present about 
camp, its total numbers are never large, and its population seems to consist 
of single families evenly scattered over the wildest country. A peculiar 
thing about it is that, whereas other Jays increase rapidly under cultivated 
conditions, the Canada Jay shrinks from civilization. Lonely places are its 
favourite haunts, and as soon as the temporary camp becomes a permanent 
settlement, it deserts the neighbourhood and retires to more secluded 
localities, or possibly suffers the fate resultant on too great confidence, for 
often civilized man is more intolerant of wild life than are more primitive 
hunters and trappers. 
Economic Status. No definite study has been made of the food of this 
species. Its habits, when under observation, show it to be omnivorous; 
probably its food is much similar to that of the other Jays, but its habitat 
removes it from close contact with man, and its comparatively small 
numbers make its effects economically unimportant. 
486. Raven (Including Northern Raven). Corvus corax. L, 22. An entirely 
black bird, like a Crow (Plate XLV A), but decidedly larger. 
Figure 252 
Raven, showing lanceolate feathers on throat; 
scale, 4. 
Distinctions. Like a very large Crow, with wing over 15-5 inches long. The most 
obvious distinction, other than size, is the long-pointed, lanceolate feathers on the throat, 
each lying separate, one on the other, and not softly blended as in the Crow (Figure 252), 
Field Marks. Next to size, which is always an uncertain guide in open spaces, the 
voice is the most certain distinction. The raven croaks instead of caws. The voice is 
hoarse and rattling, with a wooden quality. Young Crows sometimes have raven-like 
notes, but usually the voices of the two species are perfectly distinctive. The flight of the 
Raven is more dignified and impressive than that of the Crow, slower in beat, and with more 
sailing. It is sometimes very playful in the air, and executes many aerial manoeuvres. 
Nesting. Large nest of sticks, usually on cliff ledges; sometimes in trees. 
Distribution. Europe, northern and central Asia, and North America. In Canada, 
across the continent. It has disappeared or is now disappearing from most of the settled 
parts. 
