THE EFFECT OF MAN 541 



been proved by the finding of sub-fossil bones, but their extraordinary 

 present abundance must be dependent on agricultural conditions. The 

 skylark, introduced into New Zealand, is counted as the worst bird 

 pest after Passer domesticus. Mirafra javanica in the cultivated fields 

 of Java parallels the lark in Europe. 6 The crested lark (Galerida 

 cristata), a true steppe species, is an inhabitant of such situations 

 as country roads, railway rights of way, parade grounds, and dump 

 heaps. 3 This species has entered Germany from the east in recent 

 times. It was at first a rare, then an abundant, winter resident; finally 

 a permanent and breeding resident. It nested for the first time in 

 Niirnberg in 1814, in Ansbach in 1850; in 1854 it appeared as a rarity 

 in Augsburg and did not breed there until 1873; it has bred near 

 Stuttgart since 1883. 7 Its principal food supply is found in the waste 

 grains of horse dung. 



The suitable nesting places in grain and pea fields have attracted 

 the European reed warbler (Acrocephalas palustris) from its normal 

 reed banks. A notable increase in this species may accordingly be ex- 

 pected. 



In the United States, meadow larks and quail find abundant 

 shelter and nesting sites in the thick growth of cultivated fields and 

 meadows, or better, along unmown fence rows. 



Under modern game management, in favorable places as in south- 

 western Georgia, human activities are being directed toward produc- 

 ing favorable environments for favored species. The result is that, 

 within a few years and without artificial propagation, the population 

 of bobwhite quail is approximately as large in the Thomasville region 

 as it has ever been. This increase has been obtained in the face of 

 relatively uncontrolled predation and of a heavy, even though limited, 

 hunting pressure. 8 Wild turkeys have also increased greatly in the 

 same region as a result of the application of similar methods. There 

 is, in fact, a definite movement in various parts of the United States 

 to work out applicable methods of game management which will not 

 be expensive but will provide adequate cover and food for the whole 

 year for selected species. These methods are based on European prac- 

 tice but require decided modifications to meet American conditions. 9 

 In California cultivated fields which have abundant seed-bearing 

 weeds furnish food for winter-visitant finches. The number of win- 

 tering birds of the species concerned were much smaller in the habitats 

 with native vegetation than in these recently cultivated fields. It is 

 possible that with such birds success in finding winter forage has more 

 to do with actual population density than success in other seasons of 

 the year. 10 



