66 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



cent Kollar remarks that " the instinct of the crow to go in 

 quest of the grub of the May bug, may be observed in gar- 

 dens and other places where vegetables are planted. It walks 

 about between the plants, and as soon as it sees one that has 

 begun to wither, it approaches it with a joyfid spring, digs 

 with his sharp bill deep into the ground near the plant, and 

 knows so well how to sieze its prey that it draws it forth and 

 swallows it, almost in the same moment. The crows do the 

 same thing in the meadows, which we see sometimes almost 

 completely covered with them." 



The crows of North America were some years since, in 

 consequence of premiums offered by the States for their de- 

 struction, so nearly exterminated, that the increase of insects 

 was alarmingly great. The States were obliged to offer 

 •counter rewards for the protection of the crows. This cir- 

 cumstance has happened in other countries besides our own. 

 " On account of the propensity of rooks (a species of crow) 

 4o consume grain and other seeds, they have erroneously 

 (says Selby) been viewed in the light of an enemy by most 

 Ihusbandmen, and in several districts in (England) attempts 

 tiave been made either to banish them, or to extirpate the 

 "breed. But wherever this measure has been carried into ef- 

 fect, the most serious injury to corn and other crops has inva- 

 riably followed, from the unchecked devastations of the grub 

 •and the caterpillar." 



It will not be denied that the American crow often causes 

 great injury to the crops of the farmer by its depredations in 

 the cornfield. But it is a subject worthy of inquiry, whether 

 he does not more than balance the mischief he does, by his 

 services in destroying vermin. The red winged blackbird, on 

 account of similar habits, is called "maize thief" by our 

 Southern and Western planters: but he is likewise one of the 

 most useful of our birds. So general is the opinion of his 

 -mischievousness and worthlessness, that our farmers, from a 

 -sense of duty, have always used their efforts to extirpate the 

 -whole species. While the Indian corn is in the milk, during 

 ia. few weeks of mid-summer, these birds eat it with avidity. 

 -'But," says Alexr. Wilson, "there remain some facts to be 



