from different portions of the woods or from separate groves; all in the 
same order and about five hundred yards apart. They flew for some 
distance, probably half a mile, before the individuals on the left swung 
ahead and led their respective troops. There were not less than twenty- 
five hundred birds, probably more. At night they retired to the above 
mentioned timber in one long irregular train ; but it is my belief that 
each flock retained its individuality throughout the day. This large con¬ 
course of birds probably repsesented a small portion of Chester, Dela¬ 
ware and Montgomery Counties ; it being highly improbable that there 
were any migrants from the North or from the mountains of the border¬ 
ing counties, owing to the almost entire absence of sheltered roosts of ever¬ 
green trees. During the colder, and stormiest period of the Winter, these 
flocks retired to the scattered groves of conifers and cedars of the three 
counties, usually breaking up in smaller companies, from necessity. 
NIDIFICATION. 
Situation. The Crow usually chooses a tree situated as deep in the 
woods as possible, or in some quiet little grove of tall trees, where it 
can nest free from molestation and yet be near to its chosen feeding 
ground The number and variety of eligible situations, the individuality 
of the bird, the degree of hostility prevailing in its neighborhood and the 
consequent measure of activity displayed by its enemies, h iving a large 
share in influencing the selection of a nesting site Now and then a pair 
bubbling over with boldness or over confidence in man. will build in an 
isolated tree, usually but not invariably an evergreen, in the middle of a 
field or in an apple orchard, Mr. Frederick M. Dille collected a set of 
eggs from a tall cottonwood, in the midst of a dense grove, on Clear creek, 
directly on the outskirts of the city of Denver. He says : “ I was greatly 
surprised at finding a pair of Crows breeding in such close proximity to a 
large city ; but the birds were very quiet and retiring, as if they realized 
the delicacy of their situation.” Mr. W. N. Clute, Binghamton, N. Y , 
cites two instances of this species nesting within the city limits. Dr 
Will iam Bringhurst. Philadelphia, Pa., takes note of a pair building in 
Logan Square, on one side of which stands the Academy of Natural 
Sciences, on another a grand Cathedral, etc., every front being built 
around, and the square much frequented. At a later date, the same gen¬ 
tleman informs me that he has heard of a nest established among the 
trees of Independence Square, right in the heart of the oldest portion of 
