University of Kansas Publications
Museum of Natural History
Volume 8, No. 8, pp. 477-498, 4 tables
June 8, 1956
University of Kansas
Lawrence
1956
University of Kansas Publications, Museum of Natural History
Editors: E. Raymond Hall, Chairman, A. Byron Leonard,
Robert W. Wilson
Volume 8, No. 8, pp. 477-498, 4 tables
Published June 8, 1956
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas
PRINTED BY
FERD VOILAND, JR., STATE PRINTER
TOPEKA, KANSAS
1956
The yearly diet of the crow was studied from December, 1952, toFebruary, 1954, in Harvey County and the northeastern townships of RenoCounty, in south-central Kansas. In the United States much attention hasbeen devoted previously to the food taken by the crow because it is ofeconomic importance. The work of Barrows and Schwarz (1895) was thefirst of a series of studies made by the United States Department ofAgriculture. Kalmbach (1918, 1920, 1939) continued these studies byanalyzing stomach contents from various parts of the United States. Alsohe diet of the crow has been studied by local areas (Imler—Oklahoma,1939; Hering—New York, 1934; Black—Illinois, 1941; Lemaire—Louisiana,1950).
I am grateful to Dr. Henry S. Fitch, for many valuablesuggestions and helpful encouragement given in the course ofmy study. Professor E. Raymond Hall, who read themanuscript, likewise offered valuable suggestions. Dr. R. L.McGregor and Mr. Wilford Hanson provided invaluableassistance in identification of plants and insects found inthe crow pellets.
Previous studies were based mostly on analyses of stomach contents. Mystudy is based on the analysis of 617 regurgitated pellets collectedfrom roosts and lookout posts. Fifty-three collections of pellets weremade throughout the year at regular intervals, except that none was madein January, March, or May. The pellets were wrapped individually inpaper or leaves as collected, and each was analyzed separately. Thepercentages by bulk of different food residues (excluding sand and otherextraneous material) were estimated in each pellet and recorded.
The study area is on the eastern edge of the Great Bend Prairiephysiographic province of Moore (1930). The climate is characterized bymoderate precipitation (ann. 30"), a wide range of temperaturevariations, moderately high wind velocities, and comparatively rapidevaporation. The summers are generally hot, and the winters aremoderately cold but are free from excessive snowfall. The weather duringthe study period was unusually dry, and the summer temperatures wereabove normal. A drought had begun in 1952, following the cool and wetsummer of 1951.[Pg 480]
The study area includes the zone of transition from bluestem ortall-grass prairie to the buffalo grass or short-grass prairie. Theprincipal farm crop in the study area is wheat. Sorghum grain, oats, haycrops (especially alfalfa), and corn are also grown. The study areasupported a small population of breeding crows; an estimate based onfield observations mainly in eastern Harvey County, was not more thanone pair per square mile. In winter a large p