Crow, American 



That they do much damage in the corn-field is undeniable, 

 but after the examination of nine hundred crows' stomachs, 

 Dr. Merriam, of the Department of Agriculture, states 

 that the amount of good done by the crow in destroying 

 grasshoppers, May beetles, cut-worms, and other injurious 

 insects, exceeds the loss caused by the destruction of corn. 

 Moreover, if the corn be tarred before planting, the crows 

 will not touch either the kernel or young sprout. 



Chapman. Bird Life.^^ 



Some farmers .... take the trouble to feed the 

 birds old corn during the time when they would be pulling 

 up the young sprouts, for they realize that the workman 

 is worthy of his hire, and would no more think of shooting 

 crows than horses and cows because they demand grain 

 in return for their work. 



Merriam. Birds of Village and Field. ^ 



There are times when I really believe they laugh. They 

 are great talkers, so why should they not have a sense 

 of humor? 



Abbott. Birdland Echoes. ^^ 



The crow is a useful bird in spite of the mischief of 

 which it is guilty, and that is the sum and substance of 

 the whole matter. 



Abbott. Birds About Us.^" 



Happy, hardy outlaws, the crows, how I love them! 

 Alert, social, republican, always able to look out for them- 

 selves, not afraid of the cold and the snow, fishing when 



59 



