AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY 



189 



I doubt if any other bird (with the exception of the EngUsh Sparrow), 

 could exist under these persecutions. As to whether they are merited or 

 not is a question still undecided. I think that the matter will stand much 

 more investigation before it is decided that we would be better off without 

 the crow. 



It is with great interest that these black fellows watch the farmer at 

 his task of preparing the soil for his crops. And it is not wholly with a 

 view to regaling themselves on the seed that attracts them, for they know 

 that later they will feast on the grubs and worms that attack the young 

 grain. While they destroy considerable corn, they at all times prefer 

 worms, grubs and any animal matter, and only consume the farmer's 

 products when the food of their choice fails them. 



Photo by J. B. PardOE. 



Young crows in nest. 



To determine the economic value of the crow the U. S. Dept. of Agri- 

 culture has examined the contents of the stomachs of many, and found 

 that, during the summer and spring, their fooJ consists of at least two- 

 thirds animal matter; during the winter, grain, acorns and the seeds of 

 numerous wild plants form their diet. During the summer they frequent 

 the shore of rivers and the marshes searching for small fish, shell-fish, 

 lizards, snakes, etc., and mice, beetles and spiders are not passed by. 



The greatest fault of the crow and one th.it condemns him with many 

 is his wanton destruction of the eggs and young of smaller birds. He 

 knows that he is doing wrong and therefore is very quiet and cunning in 

 his actions. He watches until the little owner of the nest is away, and 



