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peasant was subjected to an annual capitation of twelve heads 

 of tliis species of bird, which were employed in the manufac- 

 ture of saltpetre ; for in that country nothing is wasted. At 

 the end, however, of the second year, it was discovered that 

 the crops were devoured by insects, and it was speedily found 

 advisable to invite the sparrows from the neighboring countries 

 to re-people the kingdom with them, and remedy the evil. 

 These birds, it is true, when insects fail them, eat some grains 

 of wheat. But insects, be it remembered, consume it by 

 bushels, and even by granaries. Meanwhile, if the whole race 

 of insects could bfe destroyed, it would not be expedient to 

 attempt it, since there would be destroyed along with them 

 most of the feathered tribes of our plains, which, during the 

 season of breeding, have no other food for their young." 



The inhabitants of a new country, like our own, are not so 

 well informed of the evils that follow the destruction of birds, 

 as those of old countries who have learned by tradition the in- 

 dispensable character of their services. Vincent Kallor, as an 

 expedient method of setting a limit to the excessive increase of 

 the Cockchafer, to spare the birds that feed upon the larva of 

 this insect. Among these, he thinks the Crow undoubtedly 

 claims the first place. "These birds (he says) follow the 

 plough, for the express purpose of consuming worms, the larva 

 of insects, and particularly that of the Cockchafer, when 

 thrown out on the surface by the plough. The instinct of the 

 Crow to go in quest of this grub, may also be observed in gar- 

 dens and other places where vegetables are planted. He walks 

 about between the plants, and when he sees one that has begun 

 to wither, digs with his sharp bill deep into the ground, near 

 the plant, and knows so well how to sieze his prey, that he 

 draws it forth and swallows it almost at the same moment. 

 The Crows do the same in the meadows which we see some- 

 times completely covered with them." 



The American Crow, though addicted to the same habits, is 

 made shy and timid by the persecution he suffers ; for our 

 farmers can never believe the Crow is seeking after anything 



