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SUBSPECIES. We have only one recognized subspecies of Raven in Canada, the 
Northern Raven Corvus corax principalis, that extends north over the Arctic islands. It 
differs from a more southern form in the interior of the continent by slightly larger size and 
heavier build. 
The Raven is traditionally a bird of ill-omen. Sombre of colour, 
dismal in voice, solitary and wild of habit, it fills in the far north the place 
of the Vulture in the south. The Raven holds aloof from the haunts of 
men. As civilization has advanced into the primeval vastnesses, the 
Raven, unlike its close relative the Crow, has retired and is still today what 
it was in the beginning, a bird of the wilderness. Knowing only the 
physical requirements and food habits of the two species, one would natur- 
ally think that the Raven could thrive as well under civilization as the 
Crow. It is omnivorous and can adjust itself to almost any food supply. 
It is hardy and can live in climates and under severer conditions than 
its congener, yet for some unexplained reason, the Crow increases and the 
Raven disappears when settlement advances. 
Economic Status. The Raven eats both animal and vegetable food, 
but has a strong partiality for the former. It seeks the offal from the 
hunter’s dressed game, or the game itself if it be available. It lurks about 
the outskirts of rookeries and makes dashes for eggs and young. By 
the sea it searches the shores at low water for crabs and other sea life and 
for anything edible that may be washed up. Avoiding cultivation as it 
does it has little direct economic influence. 
488. American Crow (Including Western and Northwestern Crows). Corvus 
brachyrhynchos. L, 17. Plate XLV A. A large, all black bird, too familiar to need much 
description. 
Distinctions. A large bird, jet black all over, with considerable metallic iridescence. 
To be confused only with the Raven, but smaller, and the throat feathers blend together 
in a smooth, even mass, instead of standing out one from the other in sharp-pointed lanceo- 
late individuality (Compare with Figure 252). 
Field Marks. Large size, solid black coloration, distinctive wing action, and familiar 
voice. 
Nesting. Nest of sticks in trees. 
Distribution. All temperate North America. 
SUBSPECIES. The Eastern Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos is the 
east Canadian form, extending westward into Manitoba. From here to the coast district 
of British Columbia it is replaced by the Western Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos hesperis , 
which is identical in colour with it, but averages slightly smaller. The difference in size is 
not great and many specimens cannot be referred to their expected appropriate geographical 
race by any test. On the coast is the Northwestern Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos caurinus , 
hitherto commonly regarded as a separate species, but lately officially reduced to sub- 
specific status. Its only outward distinction is its much smaller size. A male with wing 
under 12 inches, or a female with wing 11 inches or under, should be of this race. 
Although the Raven retreats before the advance of civilization, the 
Crow increases. It is omnivourous, feeding readily on anything from car- 
rion to sprouting corn. It is an open-country bird and probably arrived 
in eastern Canada about the time of the first white man’s clearing of the 
forest. In the west, where prairies and open spaces were the original 
condition of the country, it probably has always occurred, but it has 
increased enormously with cultivation. Over the colder sections of its 
range it is a migrant, though, locally, many birds may be induced by the 
abundant food supply furnished by slaughter houses and garbage dumps 
to winter far north of their accustomed range. Probably its great increase 
in numbers in western Canada is due as much to the present greater winter 
91054 — 17J 
