85 
48. Perisoreus canadensis (Linnaeus) Canada Jay 
Fairly common in all woods of region from near timber-line to river- 
level. A pair frequented camp all summer, but always left their young 
in woods and carried food to them. First young seen May 28. Latter 
very dependent on parents for a long time after leaving nest and for several 
weeks family held together as a unit. Adults in heavy moult July 3. 
Specimens: One female, McCarthy, Alaska, May 12. Five adults, June 2 to July 
14. Six juveniles, May 28 to July 27. 
Adults typical P. c. canadensis. Juveniles, however, consistently lighter both above 
and below than comparable eastern birds. On breast black overwash considerably less, 
and a purer grey. These characters, however, do not seem to fit fumifrons and are rather 
slight for other taxonomic recognition. 
49. Corvus corax Linnaeus Northern Raven 
Common. A pair nested in cliffs of a canyon wall near camp. Fe- 
male shot June 3 before nest discovered, but male proved a good parent 
and provider, and when on June 7 and 8 first of the young left nest canyon 
he brought them to the vicinity of camp, where they were fed all bird and 
mammal remains. Most tardy of five young arrived at camp June 14. 
Raven family an interesting feature of camp. Young dependent for a 
long time, and refused to pick up food for themselves, waiting always 
until thrust into their gaping, vociferating mouths by a hard-working 
parent. More than two weeks before youngsters learned to use their big 
bills in haggling off their own portions. Their voices very high pitched 
and “croupy” by comparison with voice of raucose-throated male. In 
distance combined cries of young greatly resembled calls of a flock of 
sandhill cranes. Not until about August 14 did young voices change to 
adult, throaty quality. 
Evidently bird is early nester and fact that two pairs (?) seen in nuptial 
flight high over valley May 13 would go to show that either some pairs 
nest later, or aerial courtship kept up for some considerable time after 
mating. 
Sagacity of raven shown in many ways while raising young and gen- 
erally getting a living in a hard land. Certainty with which they found 
offal from a sheep-kill high on upper slopes, far beyond their ordinary 
haunts, quite inexplicable. Observed on one occasion badgering two 
golden eagles at remains of a kill and may have been guided aloft by actions 
of raptors. Trick of carrying dried sheep meat to water to soften it 
before giving it to young a display of intelligence seeming near to reason. 
Ravens commonly came into town of McCarthy where they showed their 
ingenuity in stealing scraps of food from tethered huskies. Said that a 
raven knew length of a dog chain to a link. A dozen ravens seen in August 
on Iverson ranch plundering pigs in pens. 
One day a little bit of wild play observed at nesting canyon near camp. 
A big ram came out and lay down on a ledge at brow of canyon wall and 
male raven went over and began to “tell him off”. Ram stood abuse a 
while and then rose slowly and made a run at rascal, and Corvus quit 
hurriedly. 
Note in diary, June 16. “In the evening I gave the ravens a ground 
squirrel. With head removed it weighed about a pound as it was 18 
ounces entire. I had slit the belly. Corvus as always, lit, jumped, and 
flittered a few times, then pounced upon it and tried to fly with it. But 
he had not the hawk's trick of carrying a burden in the feet. He was 
