12 
in one nest, as four were of different shape and color from the remaining 
three. A number of ‘ runts ’ have come under my notice, the smallest of 
which was the size of a large Meadow Lark’s egg." 
W. S Cruzan, Sulphur Springs, Texas. — “Crows are very numerous 
in most parts of this state. The American Crow breeds most abundantly 
along streams in the central part of the state. The streams are skirted 
with timber, composed chiefly of pecan, elm. and hackberry. During 
all times of the year, numbers may be seen. They gather the pecan nuts 
and eat them, also storing them away for future use They will often 
fly from a pecan tree with nuts, to a place on the prairie near some 
bushes or weeds, and deposit a little pile of nuts, often as much as a pint 
or more." 
Ellis F. Hadley, Dayton, Oregon. — “ Crows are very common in the 
Western part of Oregon, found in flocks in Winter. They live on 
grain, which they gather after it has been sown, even pulling up the ten¬ 
der shoots. 1 have seen them come down and eat with the chickens, in 
flocks of from twenty-five to fifty individuals. They devour a great manv 
insects and worms and are therefore beneficial to the country.” 
Samuel L. Bacon, Erie, Pa. •“ In the Summer of 18S6, by shooting at 
a Crow which was carrying something, evidently a heavy load, 1 induc¬ 
ed it to drop that something, which proved to lie a full grown Flicker just 
dying. ” 
Robert K. Scorso Afton, N. J “ The Crow is among our commonest 
birds, yet its real history is but little known. The farmer generally 
considers it a costly nuisance, but the scientist is not sure of that. 
The farmer knows it feeds on grain, and the scientist knows it also 
feeds on harmful insects. The Crow is largely concerned in the distribu¬ 
tion of the poison ivy {A'/ms toxicodendron) and poison sumach (dints 
venenata), although this bird is not the only species concerned in this 
work " 
In the reports just given, no mention has been made of our sable 
friend's propensity to appropriate the eggs of various domestic fowls, 
particularly those usually nesting in the field or woods, as the guinea and 
turkey When once a nest is found, the happy possessor of the secret is a 
regular and punctual customer. When a boy. it was one of my many 
duties to " keep an eye on the turkey hens" during their nesting season, 
for they would “steal their nests ." They generally sauntered toward 
the brambly fence corners nearest the woods, in an unconcerned manner, 
slipping quietly on their nests when no one was looking. Often I observ ¬ 
ed a “Black Crow" at the top of a neighboring tree, impatiently hop¬ 
ping from one foot to the other, spreading and folding his wings, or else 
