1914] Bryant: Economic Status of the Western Meadoivlark 387 



One need only point to the place which birds take in art and 

 literature to prove their esthetic value. The inspiration for 

 some of the finest paintings, poems and other pieces of literature 

 has come from a knowledge of bird life. That exhilaration and 

 inward joy awakened with an acquaintanceship with birds has 

 a real value. What mental pictures stay longer with us than 

 do those gained first hand from nature? Those things which 

 make the world more beautiful make it more fit to live in. 



Few birds there are that have a greater esthetic value than 

 does the western meadowlark. One reason for this is that it is 

 a conspicuous bird and therefore known to every one. Its song 

 has been pronounced far sweeter than that of its eastern relative. 

 Its plumage and general habits add to its attractiveness. A 

 bird associated with the fields and plains, it adds great interest 

 to the general loneliness and monotony of our great treeless areas. 

 What person traveling along a lonely country road has not been 

 cheered by the bird which stands bobbing on many a fence post 

 and telegraph pole and continually pours forth its "Eh heu 

 wheel'iky, wheel 'iky, wheel'iky"? (For the musical notation 

 of the song of the western meadowlark see Allen, 1881.) 



The educational value of birds has more utilitarian aspects. 

 Birds teach a code of ethics exceeded only by that of man him- 

 self. The fidelity of parents to each other and to their helpless 

 young and the industry, cleanliness, grace, and cheerfulness 

 exemplified by them add much to the finer ideals of life. 



The educational and esthetic points of view can even be 

 considered economically. To many, this type of presentation 

 detracts instead of adds. Nevertheless, it is true that the esthetic 

 and educational value of birds has its economic relations. Many 

 a summer resort is chosen because of the abundance of birds in 

 the vicinity, and many a summer vacationist is influenced in his 

 choice of destination by the presence of birds in the vicinity. 

 The value of suburban property is enhanced by the presence of 

 birds. That many a business man has been attracted to certain 

 suburban localities because of the presence of the meadowlark 

 and its song is self-evident. 



Carrying this point of view to an extreme has often antag- 

 onized certain classes, and herein lies a danger. Yet the facts 



