722 
BIRD-LIFE. 
their utility, there only remains our sinner in chief, the 
Raven, on the one hand, while the other six members of 
the family are our benefactors. 
All the Corvidae destroy myriads of noxious animals, 
which, if left to themselves, would cause endless damage 
to our farms and forests: mice of all sorts, as well as 
hamsters, are the favourite prey of the stronger species, 
and insects that of the weaker. Besides these they 
destroy slugs, snails, and lizards; all the larger species 
catch and devour the venomous adder. The Rook is the 
only creature capable of preventing or arresting the 
ravages of the cockchafer and other beetles. What 
would he impossible for man to carry out, is accomplished 
by the valuable assistance of this bird, with the utmost 
patience and address. Rooks set about the destruction of 
grubs, and the beetles which they turn into, in the most 
systematic and intelligent manner possible. They, as 
also the Carrion and Hooded Crows, confidently follow 
the ploughman at his work, taking care not to leave a 
grub or a mouse behind, which the plough turns up: 
the one is either picked up or dug out of the ground 
with the beak, while the other is despatched with a few 
blows, and then devoured. This occupation is continued 
♦ 
as long as ploughing-time lasts. There is other work, 
however, to be done as well, for as long as grass and 
weeds are in the fields and meadows, all members of the 
Crow family find ample employment in destroying snails, 
slugs, grasshoppers, caterpillars, &c. They work hardest 
in the month of May. The numerous progeny are now 
full grown, and still demand four times the nourishment 
required by the parent birds, so that the latter now 
prosecute their search for food with enhanced activity, 
the booty consisting principally of cockchafers. These 
