APPENDIX. 
377 
These few facts show how essential is the examination of large numbers of stom- 
achs in order to secure accurate results, but nevertheless it is impossible to avoid 
the conclusion that crows eat insects freely at all seasons of the year, and that the 
main reason why they do not eat as many in cold weather as in warm is simply be- 
cause they are not to be had then. These conclusions receive additional confirmation 
from the reports of observers, very many of whom state that the crow feeds on in- 
sects at all times of the year, but is especia lly destructive to them when they are ex- 
ceptionally abundant. 
Turning now to the reports of observers as to the kinds of insects eaten, we find 
additional testimony favorable to the crow. 
The following list gives the names of all insects on which the crow is said to feed, 
together with the number of observers reporting each kind : 
Names. 
No. of 
reports. 
Names. 
No. of 
reports. 
Insects of all kinds 
11 
Army worms, 
Insects, kind not specified 
54 
Tobacco worms 
Grasshoppers, 
80 
Earth worms, 
Crickets, 
8 
Worms, kind not specified 
1 
“Locusts,” 
4 
Ants, 
Seventeen-year cicada, . 
• ‘ White grubs, ” 
2 
‘ ‘ Bugs, ” kind not specified 
32 
Tent caterpillar 
Grass, kind not specified, 
49 
Apple tree worm, 
Cut worms 
44 
Canker worm, 
May beetles, 
5 
Corn worm, 
‘ • June bugs, ” 
2 
Bud worm, 
Potato beetles, 
t; 
“Millers.” 
Beetles, kind not specified, 
13 
Hessian fly 
Caterpillars, 
7 
Cocoons 
Wire worms, 
0 
Crysalids, 
A glance at the above list shows that certain groups of insects are reported by large 
numbers of observers, and it is interesting to note that in almost every case the in- 
sects so reported are decidedly injurious. Thus grubs and “ white grubs” aggregate 
eighty-one reports, cut-worms are mentioned in forty-four, and grasshoppers in 
eighty. 
Among the numerous reports which mention a considerable variety of insects the 
following may be instanced : 
Prom William Proud, Chico, Cal.: 
It is a great devourer of grubs, caterpillars, chrysalises, etc.; including wire-worms, larvae of 
cockchafer, beetles, army-worms, grasshoppers, and any other noxious vermin that falls in the 
way. 
Prom E. E. Mason, Accotink, Va. : 
I have have had them follow me all day when I have been plowing, picking up the grub- 
worms. They are evidently voracious feeders and not nice as to diet, but doubtless drew the 
line on any of the caterpillar family. A friend of mine having shot one cut his craw open and 
found so many insects that he said he had killed his last crow. 1 think if the crow was less dis- 
turbed there would be less wormy roasting ears. 
Prom T. Scott Pisher, East Brook, Pa. : 
I watched a pair of crows follow me day after day last spring [1886] while plowing sod, and 
saw one crow pick up twenty-five to forty white grubs, cut-worms, and wire- worms at one time 
^-i^d then fly to the woods for an hour or so, then back and at it again. 
Prom William G. Coutaii, Brackney, Pa.: 
I am convinced from personal observation that the crow pulls corn in search of grubs and 
worms. For where large quantities have been pulled up the grain is left intact on the sprout. 
Prom P. R. Welsh, Philadelphia, Pa.: 
On three or four occasions I have known crows to pull up corn from two to four inches high, 
I do not think they eat the green top ; their object seems to be to get at the seeds, which they in- 
variably eat. 
From John C. Linville, Gap, Pa.: 
It feeds largely on the large white grub, the larvae of the May beetle. When the common 
cut-worm is very numerous I have seen the crow dig something out of the hill of corn and leave 
the corn unmolested ; I think he was catching the worms. 
