476 University of California Publications in Zoology [ VoL - n 



to the list of game birds, has twice occasioned the introduction 

 of a bill into the State Legislature. The same influences caused 

 the Fish and Game Protective Association in 1912 to recommend 

 placing this bird on the game list. In spite of the failure of 

 the former bills to pass, protest has continued. As a final solution 

 of the problem this investigation was ordered by the State Fish 

 and Game Commission. 



*********** 



This investigation having been completed and dependable data 

 being at hand, the following considerations appear to the writer 

 to demand the accompanying recommendation for legislation : 



The western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta), along with 

 other birds, must be considered an important resource of this 

 state, and therefore cannot receive destruction at the hands of 

 some without distinct loss to others. 



The western meadowlark can in no way be considered a 

 desirable game bird, but must be numbered with the insectivor- 

 ous non-game birds. 



The western meadowlark, through a thorough scientific inves- 

 tigation lasting over a period of over two years and including 

 field study and an examination of nearly two thousand stomachs, 

 some being collected each month of the year in over twenty 

 different localities in California, has been shown to be distinctly 

 beneficial to agricultural interests as a whole and thus to all the 

 people of the state. 



The western meadowlark has an esthetic value greater than 

 that of almost any other bird in the state. This value, although 

 not capable of expression in dollars and cents, is nevertheless real. 



Sufficient protection from the depredations of the western 

 meadowlark is afforded the farmers of the state through a law 

 providing for the "killing of a meadowlark, robin, or other wild 

 bird by the owner or tenant of any premises, where such bird 

 is found destroying berries, fruit or crops growing on such 

 premises. ' ' 



For these reasons, the western meadowlark (Sturnella neg- 

 lecta) should be retained on the list of protected non-game birds 

 of the State of California and should at all times be afforded the 

 protection it merits. 



