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BULLETIN 621, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



are not necessarily equal in importance. Much of its damage to crops 

 and poultry can be prevented, while the bird's services in the control 

 of insect pests can ill be spared. At the same time no policy can be 

 recommended which would allow the crow to become so numerous 

 that its shortcomings would be greatly accentuated. As the capabili- 

 ties of the crow for both good and harm are great, it is believed that 

 an extermination of the species would have ultimate consequences no 

 less serious than an overabundance. 



Inasmuch as this investigation aimed at reaching general conclu- 

 sions respecting the status of the crow, in order that our attitude 

 toward the bird might be based on sound economic principles, it may 

 be said that the laws relating to it, at present in force in most States, 

 are altogether satisfactory. It is well that no protection be afforded 

 the bird and that permission be granted for shooting it when it is 

 actually found doing damage. Bounties can not be recommended, 

 neither can a campaign of wholesale destruction where complete ex- 

 termination is the object sought. However, a reasonable reduction 

 of numbers is justifiable in areas where there is an overabundance of 

 the birds. The attitude of the individual farmer toward the crow 

 should be one of toleration when no serious losses are suffered, rather 

 than one of uncompromising antagonism resulting in the unwar- 

 ranted destruction of these birds which at times are most valuable 

 aids to man. 



LIST OF ITEMS SPECIFICALLY OR GENERICALLY IDENTIFIED IN 

 THE 2,118 CROW STOMACHS EXAMINED. 



NEMATODA. 



Oordius sp. 

 Nereis sp. 



ANNULATA. 



Lumbricus sp,. 



CRUSTACEA. 



Crangonyx sp. 

 Armadillidium, sp. 



Porcellio sp. 

 Cambarus sp. 



Emerita talpoida. 



Julus casruleocinctus. 



Cicindela punctulata. 

 Cicindela purpurea. 

 Cicindela repanda. 

 Cicindela 6-guttata. 

 Cicindela scutellaris. 

 Cicindela unipunctata. 

 Cicindela vulgaris. 

 Omus sp. 



MYRIAPODA. 



Polydesmus sp. 



INSECTA. 



COLEOPTERA. 



Tetracha virginica. 

 Agonoderus pallipes. 

 Amara pennsylvanica. 

 Amara polita. 

 Amara fallax. 

 Anisodactylus agricola. 

 A nisodactylus baltimorensis. 

 Anisodactylus carbonarius. 



Anisodactylus rusticus. 

 Anisodactylus sericeus. 

 Anisodactylus terminatus. 

 Anisodactylus verticalis. 

 Bembidium sp. 

 Brachynus sp. 

 Calosotna calidum. 

 Calosoma cancellatum. 



