CORVUS AMERICANVS. 
155 
parents must guard them very assiduously, for their homes are often placed in localities 
where they are fully exposed to storms. I saw one on the naked face of a cliff at Bird 
Bock where every blast coming from the north-east must have blown against it. ' This was 
in July so the nest was empty, but the Light Keeper assured me that the eggs were de¬ 
posited as early as the first of April and that the adult birds had succeeded in rearing a 
brood which had flown away some time before my visit. A w r eek or two earlier, in June, 
I found a nest containing young on a high cliff at Amherst Island. We were unable to 
reach it without incurring great risk even with the aid of ropes, but we succeeded in 
gaining a point quite near it where we could observe the young. The adults exhibited 
considerable solicitude, as they flew distractedly about occasionally giving their harsh 
cries, but taking great care, however, not to • approach within gunshot of us. Caution 
appears to be a special attribute of the Ravens for it is extremely difficult to procure a shot 
at one, but, as they fly badly during a high wind which sweeps them out of their course, 
they are frequently blown within shooting distance and my friend, Mr. G. W. Brown, suc¬ 
ceeded in procuring one or two perfectly adult specimens in this way, but as this was in 
in July they were moulting badly. 
The movements of the Ravens are much heavier than those of the Common Crow 
which they resemble in many respects, and their flight is slower, but they sail more often 
circling about high over head. These birds are migratory, large numbers coming from 
the north to the Magdalen Islands and to Grand Menan during the winter. They are much 
tamer during the severe cold weather and, as they give considerable trouble by killing 
lambs as previously stated, the farmers at the latter named place are obliged to shoot them 
in self-defense. Thus I knew one man who managed to secure sixteen in a single day but 
they were unusually abundant that season. I think that they breed in the White Moun¬ 
tains and also at Tyngsboro’, Massachusetts, for I had a nestling fully fledged which was 
obtained at the latter named place by Mr. Will Perham who states that he is positive they 
nest in the vicinity. I have seen them on one or two occasions in the Alleghany Moun¬ 
tains but they are very rare there, while they are occasionally found on the coast of New 
Jersey. 
CORVUS AMERICANUS. 
Common Crow. 
Corvus Americanos. Aud. Orn. Biog; II; 1834, 317. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Sp. Cii. Form, quite robust. Size, medium. Feet, stout. Tongue', somewhat fleshy, but thin and horny at the tip, 
bifid, and provided with terminal cilia which extends along the sides, black in color. Sternum, rather stout. Feathers of 
*he neck, not lance-shaped. Feet, large. Middle toe and claw, shorter than the tarsus. 
Color. Adult. Uniform, lustrous black throughout, with violet reflections which are brightest on the back, wings, 
and tail. Bill and feet, black. 
Young. Are much duller throughout, and the feathers on the head and neck are slightly grayish. Bill, somewhat 
lighter at tip. 
Nestlings. Uniform, dull brownish-black, with the wings and tail lustrous, for they are not moulted. Bill and feet> 
brown. Sexes, similar in all stages. 
