his habits and ways, quite universally condemn 
him for the corn he takes. Whether it be corn 
or grub the crow seeks, or whether crow or grub 
is most injurious to his crops, is a question he 
does not consider. 
The great benefit conferred on the farmer by 
the crow and other ground birds is not appre- 
ciated. They eat an almost infinite number of 
destructive insects and also rodents, not least of 
which is the field-mouse, which always works 
under cover of the stowed grain. Corn enters 
into the menu of crows only in small ratio. 
The grub-plagued district of Nassau and other 
like plagued districts, need the help of our in- 
sectiverous birds; and it is well just here to con- 
sider that these and other birds came not to their 
place by chance. They were put here for a pur- 
pose. This purpose man has violated, and per- 
force must now hang away the destructive gun, 
and ask a recall of the birds. But again, birds 
come not at beck or call. It will require time 
and effort to restore conditions of which we have 
been robbed by heedless methods. 
Ignorance is not bliss, and it is not folly to be 
wise. 
September 21, 1912. 
