38 THE FOOD OF BIRDS IN INDIA. 



observed on a sissoo tree (Dalbergia sissoo) on account of the crows 

 there feeding upon them. (H. M. Lefroy, 1906-09). After land 

 has baen irrigated crows sometimes come in order to capture the 

 insects that have been flooded out. These insects mainly consist 

 of crickets (Brachytrypes achatinus and Gryllotalpa africana) and the 

 Locustid [Schizodactylus monstrosus], and in addition cutworms and 

 ants. Worms, too, are probably taken to some extent. Irrigated 

 and flooded lands are also visited for crabs, frogs, and fish as well 

 as for insects. " Crows may be seen on the coast squabbling with 

 seagulls over fish thrown away by the fisherfolk" (Dewar, I. C., 

 21), and also on the sea shore they hunt for crabs, Crustacea ard 

 small invertebrates. (Dewar, I. C., 22-23). They will, too, at times 

 follow a plough picking up beetles, cutworms, Elaterid grubs, milli- 

 pades, and centipedes ; but this is not a favourite method of obtain- 

 ing food. More often than not the plough is rot followed by ary 

 crows, and even if there are crows about they sometimes are there 

 simply waiting for scraps thrown away by coolies working in the 

 field. Out of 21 visits to a field when bsing ploughed in order to 

 obta ; n birds when so feeding, on seven occasions only were these 

 birds seen on the land. This is, however, rather below the average. 

 On pasture lands crows do little if any good. They are then usually 

 feeding on grass, roots and leaves, &c., and pickirg out grain and 

 beetles from cattle dung. From their actions when atterdirg cattle, 

 buffaloes, or animals of any sort in the field, we may almost cer- 

 tainly conclude that they are feeding on ticks ard flies which are on 

 these animals. I have so far however, rot obtained either of these 

 from the stomachs of birds seen feeding under these conditions. 

 (Jerd. B. I., II, 299) states definitely that they do so. "Crows 

 will eat ticks that infest the skins of cattle/' (Dewar, I. C., 18). 



Crows may frequently be seen looking into pots on toddy palms 

 but whether they take the insects that collect round the pots, or 

 the toddy itself I do not know. They certainly do not seem to be 

 so overcome by the toddy (if they take it) as Loriculus is said to be. 



Crows are decidedly inquisitive birds. They take delight in 

 worrying other birds and animals for no apparent reason whatever, 



