Page:Field key to the land birds .. (IA fieldkeytolandbi00knob).pdf/55

Rh FIELD KEY TO THE LAND BIRDS.

25

which is darkest on wings and tail. Similar to the Blue Jay, but not so handsome in coloring possessed of unbounded impudence and curiosity. He lives in the Northern forests, and begins to breed early in March, while there are still two months of severe weather.

of a gray color,



50.

—

COMMON CROW.

Corvus americanus. Black, with a purplish and blue gloss. The Crow excels among all birds by his intelHe is bold and daring when he lectual faculties. feels himself safe, but shrewd, cunning, and shy where he is suspicious of evil intent, being popularly said He seems to smell a trap, or the powder in a gun. to study the character of every inhabitant of his district, giving one person a wide berth, while he allows another to come within a few yards of him. His food consists of anything eatable, from chickens and mice He is one of the worst to insects, worms, and corn.

Length, 19^ inches.

destroyers

of birds'

nests,

and though

relentlessly

persecuted by boys and gunners, he manages to hold In his own, like the fox and the English sparrow. the woods he appropriates police duties, and drives off such unwelcome intruders as cats, owls, hawks,

and

foxes.

51.

RAVEN.

—

Length, Oorviis corax pri7icipaUs. Similar to the crow, but much larger. found in heavily wooded districts northward.

26 J inches.

Rare



CROW. Corvus ossl52. FISH Length, 16 inches. Similar to the crow. fragus. It feeds on the refuse of the sea, and roosts far inland, flying back and forth, morning and evening, in

—

great, noisy

OR SHORE

swarms.