1914] Bryant: Economic Status of the Western Meadowlark 401 



The western meadowlark is a conspicuous bird of treeless 

 areas and a frequenter of meadow, pasture, or uncultivated 

 grass land. Although a poor flyer when compared to some birds, 

 the meadowlark, with its peculiar hovering flight, is possessed 

 of a method of locomotion sufficient for its needs. Its mode of 

 life necessitates but a small amount of flying. 



During the fall and winter months meadowlarks gather in 

 flocks of five to fifty or more. During the spring, however, they 

 are seen singly or in pairs. Of a nervous temperament, they 

 are wary and do not often allow of close approach. Both the 

 male and female are good singers. Their cheerful and varied 

 song is sometimes given from mid-air, but more often from a 

 fence post, shrub, or clod. 



The western meadowlark appears to be one of the few birds 

 which is profiting by the increased cultivation of land. Alfalfa 

 furnishes particularly good food and cover for the bird, and 

 grain fields are often chosen for a home. With the furnishing 

 of still more good food and cover, combined with the destruction 

 of some of its enemies, this bird may be expected still further 

 to increase in numbers. 



The western meadowlark feeds almost exclusively on the 

 ground. It seldom perches in a tree of any kind. The early 

 morning hours are spent in obtaining food, whereas the middle 

 of the day is usually spent quietly hiding in the grass. 



The food, composed largely of insects, grain, and weed seeds, 

 is procured not only from the top of the ground, but also by 

 probing beneath the soil and by searching under clods, manure, 

 etc. Alfalfa and grain fields appear to be the favorite feeding 

 grounds of these birds in cultivated districts. 



FIELD INVESTIGATION 



Next to the knowledge of the food of a bird in determining 

 its economic status is a study of the bird at the scene of action, 

 or, in other words, a knowledge of the habits of the bird. Evi- 

 dence along this line can be afforded only by field investigation. 



Over a month's time was spent at Lathrop, San Joaquin 

 County, California, studying the abundance, feeding habits, nest- 



