THE CROW AND ITS RELATION" TO MAN. 77 



in a planter. Coal tar is a cheap by-product in the manufacture of 

 illuminating gas and may be procured at gas works or paint shops. 



The manufacture of deterrents for use on seed grain has been 

 undertaken on a moderate scale in this country, and a few articles 

 of this nature also have been imported. Most of these appear to 

 contain coal tar or closely related products as a base, while at least 

 one of the imported deterrents is a dye. There is no evidence that 

 any of these manufactured substances is superior to coal tar when 

 the latter is properly applied. 



Some success has been attained with red lead for the same purpose. 

 This deterrent has been used in Europe for some time, but. in this 

 country its use has been confined to recent years. A method of apply- 

 ing the red lead with the aid of a glue size has been suggested by a 

 Pennsylvania farmer :* 



One-half pound of glue was dissolved in 1 quart of warm water and when 

 dissolved 5 or 6 quarts of warm water was added. Into this, corn, enough to 

 be covered by the liquid, was added. The excess of liquid was then drained 

 and red lead was added until well colored. 



Though this process has been little used in this country, its success 

 in deterring birds in Europe warrants further trial. 



SCATTERING OF GRAIN. 



Many farmers have had considerable success in protecting their 

 sprouting crop by spreading broadcast over fields a quantity of grain 

 previously softened with water. This the birds take and leave un- 

 touched that which has been planted. It has been found that a com- 

 paratively small amount sacrificed in this way has often prevented 

 loss to the growing crop. 



POISONING. 



Though it would be most difficult to eradicate the crow over any 

 considerable area by a campaign of poisoning, due largely to the 

 bird's wariness, this method has been found effective in protecting 

 crops. When once a flock of these birds have learned, through the 

 loss of one or more of their number, that a certain area has been well 

 baited with poisoned food, they are inclined to avoid it for some 

 time at least. But as there is always an element of danger connected 

 with the distribution of poison in thickly settled regions, its use 

 should be limited and judicious. 



Corn is generally employed as a bait in poisoning and it is usually 

 prepared by simply steeping in a strong strychnin solution. If the 

 poison is made, however, according to the following recipe it will kill 



1 Rural New Yorker, LXI, 2727, p. 345, 1902. 



