282 
CROWS, JAYS, MAGPIES, ETC. 
fields is to soak the corn in tar before planting and scatter untarred 
corn on the borders of the field. A few quarts of corn used in this 
way will protect a field of eight or ten acres. This is worth while 
because of the amount of good the crow does by destroying insect 
pests and field mice, rabbits, and other harmful rodents. 
489. Corvus caurinus Baird. Northwest Crow. 
Black, upper parts glossed with dull violet. Length: 16-17, wing 10.10- 
11.50, tail 5.90-7.00, exposed culmen 1.60-1.90. 
Remarks. — The northwest crow differs from the American crow in 
smaller size. 
Distribution. — Coast districts from Sitka to Oregon. 
Nest. — In a crotch, 10 to 18 feet from the ground, made of fine sticks 
and mud, lined with cedar bark. Eggs : usually 4 or 5, like those of 
americanus, but smaller. 
On the Makah Indian Reservation at Neah Bay near Cape Flat¬ 
tery I was much impressed by the sight of these small crows fear¬ 
lessly walking or flying about on the beach among the long-beaked 
boats of the Indians, where they picked up dead fish and refuse 
with the assurance of chickens or pampered pets. They are said to 
contend with the dogs for possession of the refuse fish on the beach, 
and even go so far as to carry off fish from poles on the housetops 
where the Indians have left them to dry. Their good offices as 
scavengers are especially appreciated about salmon canneries and 
rivers when the salmon are running. 
GENUS NUCIFRAGA. 
Subgenus Picicorvus. 
491. Nucifraga Columbiana (ITiYs.). Nutcracker. 
Bill cylindrical, nostrils concealed by a tuft of feathers ; wings long and 
pointed, folding to the end of 
tail; tail little over half as long 
as wing; tarsus shorter than 
middle toe and claw; claws 
large, sharp, and much curved. 
Adults. — Body ash gray, whiter 
on forehead and chin ; wings 
black, with white patch on sec¬ 
ondaries ; tail with middle feath¬ 
ers black, outer ones white. 
Young: similar, hut colors duller 
and upper parts brownish gray ; 
under parts brownish ash indis¬ 
tinctly barred. Length: 12-13, 
wing 7.10-8.00, tail 5.10-5.40. 
Distribution. — Breeds in Cana¬ 
dian and Hudsonian zones in the 
mountainous parts of western 
North America from Alaska south to New Mexico and Arizona, and from 
