the latter are seldom observed in that country. In travelling
from Nashville to Natchez, a distance of four hundred and sev-
enty miles, I saw few or no Crows, but Ravens frequently, and
Vultures in great numbers.
  The usual breeding time of the Crow, in Pennsylvania, is in
March, April, and May, during which season they are dispers-
ed over the woods in pairs, and roost in the neighbourhood of
the tree they have selected for their nest. About the middle of
March they begin to build, generally choosing a high tree;
though I have also known them prefer a middle sized cedar.
One of their nests,-now before me, is formed externally of sticks,
wet moss, thin bark mixed with mossy earth, and lined with
large quantities of horse hair, to the amount of more than half
a pound, some cow hair, and some wool, forming a very soft and
elastic bed. The eggs are four, of a pale green colour, marked
with numerous specks and blotches of olive.
  During this interesting season, the male is extremely watch-
ful, making frequent excursions of half a mile or so in circuit,
to reconnoitre; and the instant he observes a person approaching,
he gives the alarm, when both male and female retire to a dis-
tance, till the intruder has gone past. He also regularly carries
food to his mate while she is sitting; occasionally relieves her;
and when she returns, again resigns up his post. At this time
also, as well as until the young are able to fly, they preserve
uncommon silence, that their retreat may not be suspected.
  It is in the month of May, and until the middle of June, that
the Crow is most destructive to the corn-fields, digging up the
newly planted grains of maize, pulling up by the roots those
that have begun to vegfetate, and thus frequently obliging the
farmer to replant, or lose the benefit of the soil; and this
sometimes twice, and even three times, occasioning a consider-
able additional expense and inequality of harvest. No mercy is
now shown him. The myriads of worms, moles, mice, caterpil-
lars, grubs and beetles, which he has destroyed, are altogether
overlooked on these occasions. Detected in robbing the hens'
nests, pulling up the corn, and killing the young chickens, he



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CROW.