1914] Bryant: Economic Status of the Western Meadoivlark 479 



were made. In every instance where a reply was received the 

 deputy reported no noticeable decrease in numbers. As over 

 two hundred western meadowlarks were collected during the 

 year in several localities it would seem that a decrease might be 

 in evidence. Of course, where meadowlarks are abundant such 

 decrease would be hard to detect. However, in southern Cali- 

 fornia, where meadowlarks are not so abundant, it seems strange 

 that a decrease was not apparent. 



This evidence lends support to th.e view that the meadowlark 

 is a hardy, prolific bird and is capable of withstanding depletion 

 far better than certain other birds. What the effect of placing 

 the bird on the game list would be is not difficult to conjecture. 

 The continued, systematic destruction which such a move would 

 make possible would certainly have a greater effect on numbers 

 than this comparatively slight destruction limited to not more 

 than two years. 



DEATH RATE 



That there is a comparatively small percentage of young 

 birds which grow to maturity is supported by the fact that 

 during a two weeks ' stay in a region where western meadowlarks 

 were nesting abundantly, three dead nestlings were found at dif- 

 ferent times and in addition a nest of four destroyed by a hawk 

 or weasel. The rearing of two broods, averaging three each, also 

 supports this view. The death rate, if computed from the average 

 number of young hatched, would be seventy-five per cent, for 

 only two (twenty-five per cent) out of every eight survive if the 

 population remains the same. The minimum number of meadow- 

 larks can be expected just before the breeding season. As the 

 minimum number remains fairly constant from year to year, it 

 can be seen that from every pair of breeding meadowlarks, if 

 they lived but one year, it would be possible for an average 

 maximum of only two to reach maturity. Since the adults must 

 live a number of years the death rate must be greater than 

 seventy-five per cent. 



The two greatest factors in the death rate are available food 

 supply and natural enemies. 



