Subject: Re: Northwestern Crows (was Species Concepts)
Date: Jun 29 15:58:13 1995
From: Dennis Paulson - dpaulson at ups.edu
>Hi Tweets,
>
>I heard somewhere (don't remember where) that there are only two significant
>differences between Northwestern Crow (NOCR) and American Crow (AMCR): one
>is anatomical, that NOCR has 4 bands of transverse muscle across its syrinx
>where AMCR has only 3, hence its deeper voice; the other, that rictal
>feathering is species-diagnostically different.
>
>Anyone know yea or nay to these things?
>
>Michael Price
I've never heard about the syringeal muscles and would be interested in a
reference, if you can find one, Michael.
The feathering distinction, which was pointed out by Meinertzhagen in 1926,
is in the *nasal* bristles, those overlying the nostrils. I checked
specimens after I learned about it and couldn't confirm it. It's discussed
in WOSNEWS 1 and 3, for you old-timers.
There is a size difference between typical Northwestern and American, but
as Gene pointed out, size increases smoothly from southern BC to northern
OR and eastern WA.
Dennis Paulson, Director phone: (206) 756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax: (206) 756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail: dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416