COB V US A MER1CANUS. 
157 
In Massachusetts the Crows, most unfortunately for the fanner, frequent the open 
country and are ready, at the slightest notice hut without any special invitation, to feast 
on the newly sown grain or pull up the freshly sprouted corn. They are also very fond 
of this latter named article of diet when the ears are in the milk, that is just before ripen¬ 
ing. All these depredations are committed in such a sly manner that the thieves elude 
completely the intended vengeance of the husbandman. They are in the fields at break 
of day or take advantage of a temporary absence of the guardian of the crops. Scare¬ 
crows, no matter how artistically constructed, lose their sham terrors after a time and 
other inventions for frightening them almost always fail. In short they are bound to have 
their fill and will not be driven away from any locality where they get good living, until 
one or two are slain and the bodies of the offenders are exposed on the spot where they 
committed their venturesome forays. Then the survivors take the hint and depart but, 
persistent to the last, only wing their way to some neighboring farm where they will 
commence their ravages with fresh vigor. 
I found the Crows building in the tops of high pine trees at Miami about the first 
week of April. The time qf breeding in Massachusetts varies somewhat with the season 
but the eggs are usually deposited by the first week of May. In most districts they se¬ 
lect high pines but I have found the nests at Ipswich in apple trees not ten feet from the 
ground. These birds are not very shy in this latter named section as they are seldom dis¬ 
turbed, for they obtain the greater portion of their food about the creeks and on the marshes, 
seldom molesting the crops. The voice of the Crow is harsh but the caw is rather enliv¬ 
ening, especially in winter. This note is all that they usually utter but occasionally they 
emit a peculiar cry consisting of four or five notes, pitched in a high key. It appears at 
first thought that the cawing Crows should hardly be placed in the same section with the 
Mocking Bird, White-throated Sparrow, and other species that pour forth such charming 
melodies. Not only are the notes of the Crow capable of considerable modulation, as has 
been illustrated by keeping them in confinement and instructing them, but they also have 
a kind of song which is given during the breeding season. It may seem absurd to talk 
about Crows singing, but having heard their performance, I can bear testimony to its ex¬ 
cellence, that is comparatively speaking. 
I was once watching a pair of Crows that were building in a small grove in Newton- 
ville and, as I had succeeded in gaining a place of concealment not far from the birds, 
without attracting their attention, had a fine opportunity of observing their movements, 
while they were entirely unconscious of my presence. The first thing that I noticed was 
a peculiar sound which somewhat resembled the cooing of a Dove, but it was far more 
musical. As only one of the birds was discernible from where I stood, I could not at first 
make out from what direction it came, but after a moment, moved slightly, when I saw at 
once that the author of this singular melody was no other than a Crow, evidently a male. 
He was seated on the limb of a tree by the side of his mate and was behaving in an odd 
manner for so grave a bird. He would move sideways on his perch, bow his head, spread 
his tail, and droop his wings, at the same time giving utterance to the cooing note. The 
female watched him demurely all the while but made no demonstrations whatever, and, 
