54 BULLETIN 621, U. S. DEPARTMENT OE AGRICULTURE, 
of seed distribution, a discussion of which is presented on pages 
68 to 71. The bayberry {Myrica carolinenms) and the wax myr- 
tle (M. cerifera) furnish subsistence for many crows along the Atlan- 
tic coast, and in the southern part of this region the greenbrier 
{Smilax spp.), grapes (Vitis spp.), the Virginia creeper {Partheno- 
cissus quinque folia.) , sour gum {Nyssa syl/vatica), and dogwoods 
(especially Cornus florida) are important food items. Wild cherries 
(especially Prunus serotina and P. virginiana) and plums present 
in 62 stomachs, strawberries in 50, and mulberries, blackberries, and 
raspberries in a fewer number were eaten during the rather brief 
fruiting seasons of these plants. The Juneberry {Amelanchierspip.) 
is a favorite food of the crows inhabiting parts of the northwest 
coast, though there are numerous records of such feeding in other 
regions as well. Blueberries (V actinium spp.) and elderberries 
{Sambucus spp.) must also be classed among the more important 
wild fruits upon which crows feed. Seeds of the following trees 
and shrubs also were taken from stomachs: Red cedar {Juniperus 
virginiana), beech {Fag us americana), hackberry {Celt-is sp.), bar- 
berry {Berberis sp.), currants {Ribes sp.), haw {Crataegus sp.), holly 
{Ilex opaca), supple-jack {Berchemia scandens), buffaloberry {Lep- 
argyrea spp.), and huckleberry {Gdylussacia sp.). 
The mere consumption of wild fruit by the crow involves nothing 
of economic importance, since practically none of the embryos of the 
seeds are thus destroyed; but the fact that the crow* for that very 
reason, becomes an important distributor of certain noxious plants, 
necessitates a careful consideration of the bird's capabilities in this 
respect. (See pp. 68-71.) 
GRASS AND WEED SEEDS. 
Plants popularly classed as weeds are affected in no appreciable 
way by the seed-eating habits of the crow. Weed seeds formed only 
1.36 per cent of the annual food of the 1,340 adult crows examined. 
That the percentage is even this high is explained by the fact that 
in February, when only 69 stomachs were available, several were 
practically rilled with vegetable debris associated with a few weed 
seeds, all of which was classed under this head. This material would 
probably have been better designated as rubbish picked up unin- 
tentionally with carrion upon which also these birds were feeding. 
Thus interpreted, the weed seeds eaten would scarcely exceed half 
of 1 per cent of the yearly food. 
Various knot weeds {Polygonum spp.) occur most frequently, 
and the seeds of the two foxtail grasses {Chwtochloa glauca and 
C. viridis) scarcely less so. Seeds of ragweed {Ambrosia arte- 
misicefolia) are liable to be picked up at any time. The minute seeds 
of pigweed {Amaranthus and Chenopodium) , so abundant in waste 
places, are so small that it is doubtful whether they are ever taken 
