Lesson XXXI

The Crow

Leading thought—The crow has the keenest intelligence of any of our common birds. It does good work for us and also does damage. We should study its ways before we pronounce judgment, for in some localities it may be a true friend and in others an enemy.

Methods—This work should begin in winter with an effort on the part of the boys to discover the food of the crows while snow is on the ground. This is a good time to study their habits and their roosts. The nests are also often found in winter, although usually built in evergreens. The nesting season is in early April, and the questions about the nests should be given then. Let the other questions be given when convenient. The flight, the notes, the sentinels, the food, the benefit and damage may all be taken as separate topics.

The following topics for essays should be given to correlate with work in English: “What a pet crow of my acquaintance did;” “Evidences of crow intelligence;” “A plea a crow might make in self-defence to the farmer who wished to shoot him;” “The best methods of preventing crows from stealing planted corn.”

Observations—1. How large is the crow compared with other blackbirds?

2. Describe its colors when seen in the sunlight?

3. Describe the general shape of the crow.

4. Are its wings long and slender or short and stout?

5. Is the tail long or short? Is it notched or straight across the end?

6. Describe the crow’s feet. Are they large and strong or slender? How many toes does the track show in the snow or mud? How many are directed forward and how many backward?

7. Describe a crow’s flight compared with that of the hawk.

8. Describe its beak and what it is used for.

9. What is the color of the crow’s eye?

10. When hunting for food does the crow hop or walk?

11. Which are the crow’s nearest relatives?

12. Where and of what material do the crows build their nests?

13. Describe the eggs. At what time of the year do the young crows hatch? Do both parents take care of and feed the young? How long do the parents care for the young after they leave the nest?

14. What are the notes of the crow? If you have heard one give any note except “caw,” describe it.

15. Where and how do crows live in winter? Where do they live in summer?

16. Do they post sentinels if they are feeding in the fields? If so, describe the action of the sentinel on the approach of people.

17. Upon what do the crows feed? What is fed to the nestlings?

18. How do the crows work injury to the farmer? How do they benefit the farmer? Do you think they do more benefit than harm to the farmer and fruit-grower?

19. Have you known of instances of the crow’s fondness for shining or glittering articles, like pieces of crockery or tin?

Supplementary reading—“The Story of Silver Spot” in Wild Animals I have Known, Seton; Second Book of Birds, p. 117; “Jim’s Babies” in Nestlings of Forest and Marsh; “How the Crow Baby was Punished,” True Bird Stories; “The Children of a Crow,” and “The Scare Crow” by Celia Thaxter; Our Birds and their Nestlings; “Crow Ways,” Ways of Wood Folk, Long; “Not so Black as he is Painted,” Outdoor Studies, Needham; The Crows, John Hay; “Jack Crow,” American Birds, Finley.