18 Farmers' Bulletin il02. 



learned through the loss of one or several of their number that a 

 certain area has been baited with poisoned food they are inclined 

 to avoid it for some time at least. In conducting such operations, 

 however, local regulations governing the distribution of poison must 

 be scrupulously observed, and as there is always an element of danger 

 connected with the distribution of poison about thickly settled re- 

 gions, its use should be limited and judicious. 



Corn is the bait usually employed in poisoning crows, and it is 

 generally prepared by simply steeping the grain in a strong strych- 

 nine solution. If made, however, according to the following direc- 

 tions it will kill more quickly and its effectiveness will last for a 

 considerable time when exposed to weather: 



Corn , 20 quarts 



Stryclmine (powdered) 1 ounce 



Starch 2 tablespoonfuls 



Water IJ pints 



Put the starch and strychnine in the water and heat to boiling, stirring 

 thoroughly after the starch begins to thicken. Pour this mixture over the corn 

 and stir till every kernel is coated. The seed may then be spread out and dried. 



Experiments conducted in Klickitat County, Washington, demon- 

 strated that where crows are troublesome to green almonds, relief 

 may be secured by using these nuts as bait, prepared by splitting and 

 inserting a quantity of a strychnine-saccharine mixture of about the 

 size of a kernel of wheat. The poison mixture is composed of 8 parts 

 of strychnine alkaloid and 1 of saccharine. The poisoned nuts are 

 then placed in bare spots, two or thi-ee under each tree. Wliile such 

 a limited number of baits appears to be wholly insufficient to meet a 

 situation where a flock of several thousand birds settle down on an 

 orchard of a few acres, the results secured thus far have been most 

 satisfactory. In attacking an almond crop, crows will first alight in 

 the tree tops, knock down a few nuts, and then go to the ground to 

 feed on them. For this reason conspicuously placed poisoned baits 

 of this kind are almost certain to be taken, and as a few crows killed 

 or seriously affected by the poison will suffice to make others shim 

 the area, protection has been secured by one treatment that lasted a 

 week or 10 days. By this means almond crops that in previous 

 years had suffered losses sometimes totaling 100 per cent were but 

 slightly damaged. 



A successful bait has also been prepared by the use of partially 

 blown hens' eggs into which a small quantity of strychnine has been 

 injected. This has been effective in stopping the raids of the poultry 

 and egg stealing crow. It should always be placed on the tops of 

 straw stacks, in artificial nests erected on poles, or in inclosures from 

 which poultry and all farm animals are barred. Strychnine may 

 even be conveyed by meat or carrion used as baits, but the diiBculty 



