The crow family. 



195 



As a scavenger the crow is our most effective ally in cleaning up all kinds of dead animal matter 

 that would otherwise be neglected and Income the 1 needing ground of countless hosts of blowfly maggots. 

 If a pest at times on the coast, it is certainly looked upon in the wist and north-west by many Observant 

 landowners as a bird to be encouraged- 



The writer considers wholesale condemnation of crows is a gTave mistake, and that their indis- 

 criminate destruction should not be allowed, tor in most places the crows do more good than harm 

 to the man on the land, and should be protected where they are useful. This could be very easily 

 managed under a comprehensive Birds Protection Act. drafted by the Council oi the Wild Life Pro- 

 tection Society, and recently passed by Parliament. When brought into operation this Act will admit 

 of crows or any other birds of mixed values being shot and driven away by proclaiming them noxious 

 birds and black-listing them in any particular district where they are causing damage. When no 

 damage can be placed to their discredit, they should have the same protection as other usehil or 

 harmless birds. 



The photograph shows how clean they can pick the bones of a dead sheep when it has been skinned. 

 and in the Brewarrina district the writer has seen the skins cut and turned inside out laying beside 

 the clean picked bones, so that the crow is certainly the best scavenger bird we have in Australia. 



Picked clean by a crow. 



