362 ORNITHOLOGY AND OOLOGY. 



reptiles ; and this diet may be considered as of neutral im- 

 portance, economically speaking. 



During the last half of July, and through August and 

 the first half of September, its diet consists of about half 

 insects and mice ; and the balance, of berries and small 

 fruits. It is therefore, during this time, beneficial about 

 thirty units, and is not injurious, otherwise than by eating 

 garden fruits or grains, items that I do not consider in 

 the present discussion. From the middle of September 

 until November, its food loses much of its fruit character, 

 because of the failure of supply, and it feeds at least two- 

 thirds on insects and other noxious animals : it is therefore 

 beneficial thirty units, and is not injurious ; and, during 

 November and December, it is beneficial to about the same 

 extent that it is in February and March, or about forty 

 units. 



We have now but to condense the foregoing results, and 

 we have, in the aggregate, the sum total of the Crow's 

 merits and demerits. 



We find, that, during the whole year, it is beneficial to the 

 amount of 229 units, and that it is injurious to the extent 

 of 4,918 units. If, for the sake of the greatest indulgence, 

 we take but one-fourth of this enormous disproportion as 

 the actual fact, we still have an exhibit that proves at once 

 that these birds are not only worthless, but are ruinously 

 destructive. 



In presenting this extended sketch, I will say that I am 

 not moved in the least by prejudice or ill feeling for a much- 

 disliked bird, but that I state the facts as they are, and 

 simply to throw a little light on a subject that has given 

 rise to much discussion and controversy. In conclusion, 

 I will say that the Jays are equally injurious with the Crows, 

 and that they are not deserving of a moment's indulgence 

 or protection at the hands of the ruralist. 



