WESTERN MEADOWLARK 85 



Mexico and from the eastern borders of the prairies and plains to 

 the Pacific. There is some evidence to suggest that it may be ex- 

 tending its range eastward. 



The favorite haunts of this meadowlark are the prairies and the 

 grassy plains and valleys, but it also ranges well up into the mountain 

 parks and foothills, as high as 5,600 feet even in Washington, from 

 sea level to 7,000 in California, 8,000 feet in Utah, 10,000 feet in 

 Arizona, and 12,000 feet in the mountains of Colorado. Dawson 

 and Bowles (1909) say of its haunts in Washington: "It is found not 

 only on all grassy lowlands and in cultivated sections but in the open 

 sage as well and upon the half-open pine-clad foothills up to an 

 altitude of four thousand feet." In other parts of the west, where it 

 is common, it is likely to be seen wherever there is a thick growth 

 of weeds and grasses, along country roads and even in vacant lots 

 in the thinly settled parts of towns and villages. 



The specific characters of the western meadowlark do not appear 

 to be very conspicuous to the casual observer. Ridgway (1902) 

 says that it is "similar to S. magna hoox>esi, but different in proportions, 

 the wing averaging longer, the tail, tarsi, and toes shorter; coloration 

 much grayer and more 'broken' above, the broad lateral crown 

 stripes never uniform black, but always (except in excessively worn 

 plumage) more or less conspicuously streaked with pale grayish 

 brown; malar region always largely yellow, usually including both 

 anterior and extreme posterior portions; blackish streaks on sides 

 and flanks varied with spots of pale grayish brown, the ground color 

 of these parts paler buffy (often white, scarcely if at all tinged with 

 buff); black jugular crescent averaging decidedly narrower." 



Territory. — Kendeigh (1941), in his study of the birds of a 

 prairie community, has this to say: 



Territorial behavior is well established in this species, although only the male 

 defends the territory. At least two variations of song were given from singing 

 posts, and a song was given occasionally while flying. Flight songs were not so 

 frequent as one might expect. Possibly they were given more often during the 

 earlier mating season. Most of the singing was from fence or telephone poles or 

 from tall weeds or small trees. The song served as an advertisement to other 

 males that the area was occupied. When another meadowlark encroached on 

 the area or simply flew high over it, the male met the challenge and gave chase 

 until the intruder passed the limits of the owner's jurisdiction. The females, 

 on the other hand, were at no time observed to be concerned about territorial 

 boundaries. * * * 



In computing the bird population only three pairs of meadowlarks were counted 

 for the area although four territories were represented. Three of the four terri- 

 tories extended well outside the area under study. The male at nest No. 1 had the 

 smallest territory of approximately 10 acres. The male at nest No. 2 at various 

 times maintained right over about 24 acres. The other two territories were about 

 21 and 32 acres, respectively, as near as could be estimated. 



