CROW. 
81 
of the tree they have selected for their nest. About the 
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 
watchful, 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 distance till the intruder has gone past. He also 
regularly carries food to his mate, while she is sitting ; occa- 
sionally 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 con- 
siderable additional expense, and inequality of harvest. No 
mercy is now shewn him. The myriads of worms, moles, mice, 
caterpillars, 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 is considered as an outlaw, and sentenced to 
destruction. But the great difficulty is, how to put this 
sentence in execution. In vain the gunner skulks along the 
hedges and fences ; his faithful sentinels, planted on some 
commanding point, raise the alarm, and disappoint vengeance 
VOL. II. F 
