Uncle Dick and Lisa's Old Time Animal Tales

Despite the verdict of farmers generally that the crow is a blackleg and a thief, the farmers’ bulletin of the U. S. department of agriculture rather takes the part of Mr. Crow. Nevertheless, without the dash and brilliancy of the jay, or the bold savagery of the hawk, the crow is accused of doing more mischief than either.
That he does pull up sprouting corn, destroy chickens, and rob the nests of small birds, has been repeatedly proved, says a farmers’ bulletin. “Nor are these all of his sins. He is known to eat frogs, toads, salamanders and some snakes, all harmless creatures that do some good by eating insects. With so many charges against him it may be well to show why he should not be utterly condemned.
Crow a Sort of Kleptomaniac!
The examination of a large number of stomachs shows that the bird’s nesting habit, as in the case of the jay, is not so universal as has been supposed; and that, so far from being a habitual nest robber, the crow only occasionally indulges in that reprehensible practice. The same is true in regard to destroying chickens, for he is able to carry off none but very young ones.
“In his insect food, however,” continues the bulletin, “the crow makes amends for his sins in the rest of his dietary, although even here the first item is against him. Predacious beetles are eaten in some numbers throughout the season, but the number is not great. Of the insect diet Mr. E. A. Schartz says: “The facts, on the whole, speak overwhelmingly in favor of the crow.
Calls Bird Obnoxious.
“Probably the most important item in his vegetable food is corn, and by pulling up the newly sprouted seeds the bird renders himself extremely obnoxious. Observation and experiments with the tame crows show that hard, dry corn is never eaten if anything else is to be had and if fed to nestlings it is soon disgorged. The reason crows resort to newly planted fields is that the kernels of corn are softened by the moisture of the earth and probably are much more palatable in the process of germination. The fact, however, remains that crows eat extensively only, when it has been softened by germination or partial decay or before it is ripe and still in the milk.”