THE CROW AND ITS RELATION" TO MAN". 55 
intentionally. Pokeweed (Phytolacca decandra) was present in only 
8 stomachs, but from the debris found at roosts in the vicinity of 
Washington, D. C, it is apparent that the seeds of this plant form 
an important part of the winter food of the crows of that region. 
Such noxious plants as poison ivy and poison oak are discussed 
under the heading " Wild Fruits," on page 53. 
FOOD OF NESTLING CROWS. 
For several reasons a correct understanding of the food habits of 
nestling crows is essential to a complete consideration of the economic 
status of the species. These young birds, which average approximately 
four to a brood, remain in the nest for about three weeks, during 
which time they consume an immense quantity of food. According 
to Forbush, 1 fully fledged young crows will eat daily a quantity equal 
to at least half their own weight, and doubtless in the earlier days of 
their existence this ratio is greatly exceeded. When a normal number 
of young are raised they will outnumber the adults nearly 2 to 1 
throughout most of the United States during the month of May. 
This fact is especially important, inasmuch as the height of abundance 
occurs at the time of appearance of some of the most destructive 
insects, which, if unchecked, would lay heavy toll on the season's 
crops. Then, too, the nestling life of the young crow coincides with 
or slightly precedes that of many small insectivorous birds, upon the 
eggs and young of which it is sometimes fed. Poultry raisers can 
attribute most of their losses in eggs and young chicks to the zeal of 
parent crows in providing food for hungry young rather than to a 
desire to satisfy their own appetites, since this could be done more 
safely at a greater distance from the farmhouse. Growing crops, 
also, especially sprouting corn, are at a critical stage of development 
at this time, and, should these be selected as food for nestling crows, 
the damage would be of a most serious nature. 
Fortunately an excellent series of stomachs, 778, is available for a 
consideration of the food of nestling crows. Of these, 47 were se- 
cured late in April, 653 in May, and 78 early in June. They were 
collected in 14 States, the District of Columbia, and Canada, the 
largest numbers being taken in Kansas, Missouri, Maryland, and the 
District of Columbia. The birds ranged in age from the blind and 
naked young of a day or two to the fully fledged bird weighing almost 
as much as its parents and capable of consuming considerably more 
food. 
The elements of the diet of nestlings are essentially the same as 
those of adults, though the relative percentages differ considerably. 
The food habits of the nestlings themselves also vary from the period 
when, a day or two old; their tender- walled stomachs require such soft, 
1 Forbush, E. H., Useful Birds and Their Protection, p. 47, 1907. 
