90 
THE AMERICAN CROW. 
may be found near each other, their proximity is never such as occurs in the 
case of the Fish-Crow, of which many nests may be seen on the same tree. 
When the nest of this species happens to be discovered, the faithful pair 
raise such a hue and cry that every Crow in the neighbourhood immedi- 
ately comes to their assistance, passing in circles high over the intruder 
until he has retired, or following him, if he has robbed it, as far as their 
regard for the safety of their own will permit them. As soon as the young 
leave the nest, the family associates with others, and in this manner they 
remain in flocks till spring. Many Crows’ nests may be found within a few 
acres of the same wood, and in this particular their habits accord more 
with those of the Rooks of Europe ( Corvus fragile gus), which breed and 
spend their time in communities. The young of our Crow, like that of the 
latter species, are tolerable food when taken a few days before the period 
of their leaving the nest. 
The flight of the American Crow is swift, protracted, and at times per- 
formed at a great elevation. They are now and then seen to sail among 
the Turkey Buzzards or Carrion Crows, in company with their relatives tin 
Fish-Crows, none of the other birds, however, shewing the least antipathy 
towards them, although the Vultures manifest dislike whenever a White- 
headed Eagle comes among them. 
In the latter part of autumn and in winter, in the Southern States, this 
Crow is particularly fond of frequenting burnt grounds. Even while the 
fire is raging in one part of the fields, the woods, or the prairies, where tall 
grass abounds, the Crows are seen in great numbers in the other, picking up 
and devouring the remains of mice and other small quadrupeds, as well as 
lizards, snakes, and insects, which have been partly destroyed by the flames. 
At the same season they retire in immense numbers to roost by the margins 
of ponds, lakes, and rivers, covered with a luxuriant growth of rank weeds 
or cat-tails. They may be seen proceeding to such places more than an 
hour before sunset, in long straggling lines, and in silence, and are joined 
by the Grakles, Starlings, and Reed-birds, while the Fish- Crows retire from 
the very same parts to the interior of the woods many miles distant from 
any shores. 
No sooner has the horizon brightened at the approach of day, than the 
Crows sound a reveille, and then with mellowed notes, as it were, engage 
in a general thanksgiving for the peaceful repose they have enjoyed. After 
this they emit their usual barking notes, as if consulting each other respect- 
ing the course they ought to follow. Then parties in succession fly off to 
pursue their avocations, and relieve the reeds from the weight that bent 
them down. 
The crow is extremely courageous in encountering any of its winged 
