Bost
Soc. Nat. Hist., xxii, 1883, p. 378). 488. Corvus americanus Aud. AMERICAN CROW. (See Fig. 44, 6.) Ad.-Entire plumage black, with steel-blue or deep purplish reflections; the under parts duller than the upper parts; feathers on the neck normal, short, and rounded. L., 19.30; W., 12-18; T., 7.52; B., 2.00. Range." North America from the fur countries to Mexico"; winters from the northern United States southward.
Washington, abundant P. R. Sing Sing, common P. R. Cambridge, abundant P. R.
Nest, bulky, of sticks lined with strips of grapevine bark, grasses, moss, etc., in trees, generally about thirty feet up. Eggs, four to six, generally bluish green, thickly marked with shades of brown, but sometimes light blue or even white with almost no markings, 1.65 x 1.19.
Throughout his wide range the size, color, voice, habits, and abundance of the Crow combine to make him the most conspicuous and consequently the best known of our birds. But in spite of his great circle of acquaintances he has few friends. An unfortunate fondness for corn has placed him under the ban of the agriculturist; there is a price on his head; every man's hand is against him.
Apparently he does not mind this in the least; in fact, he seems to rejoice in being an outlaw. As for fear, I doubt if he knows what CROWS, JAYS, ETC. it means; he has far too much confidence in his undoubted ability to escape his human persecutors. He laughs at their attempts to entrap him; his insolent assurance is admirable. For several centuries man has been his sworn enemy, nevertheless he appears to have held his own, accepting and adjusting himself to every new condition. Afraid of no one, he migrates boldly by day, and in March and October we may see him with his comrades high in the air, returning to or leaving their summer homes. In winter the Crows are exceedingly abundant along our seacoasts, where they congregate to feed on mollusks, fish, and other sea food.
At this season they roost in colonies. It has been estimated that some roosts contain upward of three hundred thousand birds.* Early in the morning, with regularly executed manœuvres, they start on the day's foraging, flying low, on the lookout for food. Late in the afternoon they return at a much greater height-" as the Crow flies "-and, alighting at some point near the roost, wait the coming of the last stragglers. Then, at a given signal, they all rise and retire for the night.
No one who has listened to Crows will doubt that they have a language. But who can translate it? 488a. C. a. floridanus Baird. FLORIDA CROW.-Similar to the preceding, but wings and tail somewhat shorter, and bill and feet slightly larger. L., 2000; W., 11.50-12-30; T., 7.00-7.70; B., 2.00-2-20; depth of B. at base, 75-85; Tar., 2·40-2.50 (Ridgw.).
Range.--Florida; confined largely to the pine-woods. 490. Corvus ossifragus Wils. FISH CROW. Ad. -Entire plumage black, with steel-blue or deep purplish reflections, generally more greenish on the under parts. L., 16.00; W., 11.00; T., 6.40; B., 1.50..