616 EXPEKIMENT STATION EECOED. 



ZOOLOGY. 



The crovrs of Germany in their relation to agriculture and for- 

 estry, RoRiG {Arh. K. Gesundheitnamte., Biol. Alt.., 1 (1900), JVo. J, 

 pjj. 28o-Ji.00-\- 1-151). — During the progress of the investigations here 

 reported the author examined the stomach contents of 5,148 crows 

 which were killed during 1896 to 1899. Of this number, 3,259 were 

 Corvtts cm'one and C comix, while 1,523 were C. frugilegus. Tables 

 are given showing the weight and percentage of the various elements 

 of food found in each of the 3 species; and 151 pages of tabulated 

 material is presented showing the total results of examination of stom- 

 ach contents. Wheat constituted 5.7 per cent of the total food; rj^e, 

 5.5 per cent; oats, -1.7 per cent, and barley 8.2 per cent. Various 

 fruits and garden vegetables, in a greater or less quantity, were found 

 in the stomach contents. 



Experiments showed that crows which were fed upon an exclusively 

 vegetable diet died within a short time, and that, therefore, animal 

 food was absolutely necessary for these birds. The animal food eaten 

 by crows included mice, insects, fish, rabbits, pheasants, small birds, 

 and birds' eggs. Vegetable substances constituted 70 per cent of the 

 total food, and animal substances 80 per cent. The insects and other 

 animals which were destroyed by the crows were for the most part 

 injurious to agriculture or forestry, and hence the author considers the 

 crows to be beneficial birds. 



The above results are for the two first-mentioned species. In con- 

 sidering the seed crow it was found that plant substance constituted 

 about one-half the food, and animal material one-fourth, while the 

 remainder consisted of gravel and mineral substances. The animal 

 food included mice, insects, meat, frogs, snails, and earthworms. 



The author discusses various methods which have been adopted for 

 preventing damages from these birds, including the treatment of seeds 

 with various substances supposed to be distasteful to the crow. 

 Experiments were made with asafoetida, quassia bark, and kerosene. 

 These substances did not affect to any great extent the germinating 

 power of the seeds, but did not prevent the crows from eating the 

 seeds. 



Legislation for the protection of birds other than game birds, 

 T. S. Palmer ( U. S. Dept. Agr. , Division of Biological Survey Bui. 

 12.. PP- 91/.., 2)ls. 2, figs. 8). — The author discusses the desirability on 

 general principles of protecting birds which can not be considered 

 game birds, gives a brief history of the progress of protective legisla- 

 tion in the different States, and considers the various definitions of 

 game birds in these State laws. A special account is given of several 

 birds which the author believes have been erroneously considered 

 game birds in such enactments. These birds include pigeons, doves, 



