

TESTIMONY RESPECTING INSECT FOOD. 71 



Vermont, Hydeville.—A. I. Johnson: Crows catch countless numbers of crickets 

 and grasshoppers after the hay is cut. They can be seen almost any time of day on 

 the meadows catching grasshoppers. I observed one pair of old Crows this summer, 

 when I was haying, that were feeding their young almost entirely on grasshoppers; 

 the old Crows would alight on the mown land within 8 or 10 rods of me, and after 

 catching a hopper or two would fly to their young that were on a fence and there 

 feed them. Of all our birds, the Crow, I think, is the most extensive feeder on 

 grasshoppers. 1885. 



West Paivlet. — Frank H. Braymer : It has been observed to feed to a certain extent 

 on the cankerworm, cutworm, various kinds of grasshoppers, and small beetles. 

 Probably the benefit derived from the destruction of insects is considerable. 1885. 



Virginia, Birdsnest. — C. R. Moore: Crows follow the plow in the spring and eat 

 many cutworms, and probably other insects, but I only know positively of cut- 

 worms. 1886. 



Drewrys Bluff. — A. R. Bellwood: During at least ten months of the year i»n this 

 part of the country large numbers congregate on the pasture fields, meadows, and 

 plowed land, and remain for hours searching for larvse and insects. 1891. 



Fork Union. — J. B. Underbill: As to the insect diet of the adult I can not testify, 

 having never examined the gizzards. The gizzards of two young which were taken 

 from the nest were filled to overflowing with grasshoppers, and each contained one 

 or two kernels of corn. 1886. 



Lick Bun.— J. G. Paston: The Crow has been destroyed by poisoning until it is 

 now nearly exterminated, and there is a noticeable increase of insects of every kind. 

 It eats insects more or less, except the Colorado potato beetle. 1885. 



Wisconsin, Clinton. — C. N. Crotensburg: I have never known the Crow to refuse 

 any insect except bees, of which it is exceedingly shy. 



