APPENDIX. 



377 



These few facts show how essential is the examination of large numbers of stom- 

 achs in order to secure accurate results, but nevertheless it is impossible to avoid 

 the conclusion that crows eat insects freely at all seasons of the year, and that the 

 main reason why they do not eat as many in cold weather as in warm is simply be- 

 cause they are not to be had then. These conclusions receive additional confirmation 

 from the reports of observers, very many of whom state that the crow feeds on in- 

 sects at all times of the year, but is especially destructive to them when they are ex- 

 ceptionally abundant. 



Turning now to the reports of observers as to the kinds of insects eaten, we find 

 additional testimony favorable to the crow. 



The following list gives the names of all insects on which the crow is said to feed, 

 together with the number of observers reporting each kind : 



A glance at the above list shows that certain groups of insects are reported by large 

 numbers of observers, and it is interesting to note that in almost every case the in- 

 sects so reported are decidedly injurious. Thus grubs and " white grubs" aggregate 

 eighty-one reports, cut-worms are mentioned in forty-four, and grasshoppers in 

 eighty. 



Among the numerous reports which mention a considerable variety of insects the 

 following may be instanced : 



From William Proud, Chico, Cal. : 



It is a great devourer of grubs, caterpillars, chrysalises, etc.; including wire-worms, larvae of 

 cockchafer, beetles, army- worms, grasshoppers, and any other noxious vermin that falls in the 

 way. 



From E. E. Mason, Accotink, Va. : 



I have have had them follow me all day when I have been plowing, picking up the grub- 

 worms. They are evidently voracious feeders and not nice as to diet, but doubtless drew the 

 line on any of the caterpillar family. A friend of mine having shot one cut his craw open and 

 found so many insects that he said he had killed his last crow. 1 think if the crow was less dis- 

 turbed there would be less wormy roasting ears. 



From T. Scott Fisher, East Brook, Pa. : 



I watched a pair of crows follow me day after day last spring [1886] while plowing sod, and 

 saw one crow pick up twenty-five to forty white grubs, cut-worms, and wire-worms at one time 

 and then tty to the woods for an hour or so, then back and at it again. 



From William G. Coutan, Brackney, Pa,: 



I am convinced from personal observation that the crow pulls corn in search of grubs and 

 worms. For where large quantities have been pulled up the grain is left intact on the sprout. 



From F. R. Welsh, Philadelphia, Pa.: 



On three or four occasions I have known crows to pull up corn from two to four inches high, 

 I do not think they eat the green top ; their object seems to be to get at the seeds, which they in- 

 variably eat. 



From John C. Lihville, Gap, Pa.: 



It feeds largely on the large white grub, the larvae of the May beetle. When the common 

 cut-worm is very numerous I have seen the crow dig something out of the hill of corn and leave 

 the corn unmolested ; I think he was catching the worms. 



