20 Baker, A Factor in Western Bird-life. [^ 



AN IMPORTANT* FACTOR IN THE STUDY OF 

 WESTERN BIRD-LIFE. 



BY CARL F. BAKER. 



Probably no better instance of the progressiveness of the 

 American can be offered than that of the settlement of the arid 

 lands of the Western States. Through the magic touch of irriga- 

 tion a desert has been made to support a vegetation of almost 

 tropical richness. Where once was but a barren plain, now 

 spread broad fields of luxuriantly growing crops, fine orchards, 

 and green meadows. 



It would seem that in this wonderful transformation, brought 

 about in so short a time, the zoologist would find a field of sur- 

 passing interest for study, and one promising varied and valuable 

 results. How it has affected the buffalo, antelope, elk, and badger 

 are familiar facts. But its effects on the smaller mammals and birds 

 have never been traced, although they must in many instances be 

 nearly as marked as on those species mentioned. Compare for 

 an instant the two sets of conditions. Then, a treeless, uninhab- 

 ited tract (except along the streams which were few and far 

 between) covered with a very scant herbaceous vegetation, upon 

 which fell but very little rain. Now, covered with farms having 

 ornamental trees and orchards in abundance, the face of the 

 country not gray brown, but green, and water everywhere. These 

 changes have been effected over immense tracts within a very few 

 years, and are going on rapidly to-day. 



It seems as if here was an opportunity such as occurs but once 

 in an age. It is true that similar changes are in progress in all 

 inhabited countries, but in no instance have changes on so grand 

 a scale been brought about in so short a time. With a single 

 exception, in none of the literature at my command can I find that 

 such studies have been carefully prosecuted. This exception is 

 an article by Dr. H. H. Behr (Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., Vol. I), 

 entitled ' Changes in Fauna and Flora of California.' Ornitho- 

 logical literature is full of specific instances of variation of habit 

 produced by the settlement of the country, such as those of the 

 Phcebe, Martin, Barn Swallow, and others. But I cannot find 



