No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 527 



tern, (see Fig. 18) and the other is called the Least Bitiern. Their 

 habits are similar to the various species of herons mentioned, and 

 there is no more justification in exterminating the Bitterns than the 

 Herons. 



CROW AND RAVEN 



The unprotected list ends with two birds which are, indeed, black 

 in color as well as reputation. These are the Crow and the Kaven. 

 (See Fig. 19). We all know that the crow presents a very objection- 

 able habit in eating corn from fields in the spring of the year, and 

 again before it is husked in the fall, but we should likewise realize 

 its value as an insect destroyer. Not many weeks ago, a Mr. Lee, of 

 Bedford county, reported to the writer that last spring, as he was 

 plowing his corn ground, crows in great numbers followed him closely, 

 and would fly from one side of the field to the other, in order to 

 walk in the furrows, and travel over the freshly-turned soil. They 

 were constantly feeding in great numbers. He said that he examined 

 the soil, and found worms, grub worms and wire worms, so very 

 abundant as to be quite alarming, and he felt that he would lose 

 his crop; but he permitted the crows to remain and feed on these 

 insects. Later in the' summer it was found that his crop had been 

 effectively protected by the crows well cleaning up the larvae in 

 the soil, while his near neighbors who did not have the crows feeding 

 at the time of plowing, lost their first planting entirely, and were 

 obliged to plant again. 



The crow is a suspicious bird, and its injuries to sprouting corn 

 can be avoided by first soaking the corn in water containing a tea 

 spoonful of tar dissolved in each gallon. The bitter taste thus im- 

 parted to the corn is enough to make the crows let it alone. 



The raven is a rare bird, living only in wild and mountainous 

 regions of this State, and is of such peculiar interest and scarcity 

 as to justify its preservation. 



Let us now ask if it is worth while for mankind to attempt to 

 throw his influence in the balance of Nature, as though in his wis- 

 dom the twenty species of out-lawed Pennsylvania birds were created 

 in vain. Did not the Almighty create a natural equilibrium, and 

 is it not our duty to maintain it? What is the experience of our farm- 

 ing friends who live where they are best adapted to making observa- 

 tions? Are destructive insects decreasing owing to the suppression 

 by birds and the operation of laws in decreasing the numbers of 

 birds of the kinds above mentioned? Are the song birds and insec- 

 tivorous birds increasing, due to the absence of these supposed ene- 

 mies of birds ? In regions where hawks and owls are but rarely seen, 

 and, in fact, where the birds mentioned above are less abundant, the 

 song birds and insectivorous birds are likewise most reduced in num- 

 bers. Are the ravages by rats and mice growing less? Would not 

 the Balance in Nature be better maintained if mankind would better 

 understand and preserve the enemies of these things? Is it at least 

 not worth while that we should study both sides of the question, 

 even though we may have to acknowledge that our present Game Laws 

 pertaining to birds are about as nearly correct as it may be possible 

 to make them? 



