VIEWS OF THE MEN CONCERNED. 



In order that the men most directly concerned might furnish evidence 

 as to the economic value of the meadowlark, a list of questions has been 

 sent out to ranchers throughout the State. The response to these 

 circular letters has not been as great as was hoped it might be. More 

 of the blanks will be distributed this coming year, so that a fairer idea 

 of the opinion of ranchers may be obtained. The questions, with a 

 summary of the answers received, follow : 



DEAR SIB : The State Fish and Game Commission has taken up the study of the 

 meadowlark in its relation to agriculture and desires to know what you think of the 

 bird. In order to secure comprehensive and uniform data answers to the following- 

 questions are urgently requested : 

 1. Name : 2. Address . 



3. Occupation 



4. How many acres of land do you own? Is your ranch hilly, upland or 



bottom land? 



5. What is the principal crop raised? What 



other crops? 



6. Has the meadowlark done any harm on your place? 



If so, how and to what extent? 



7. Have you examined the stomachs of any meadowlarks to ascertain their food? 



If so, what was in the stomach? 



8. Approximately, how many meadowlarks are seen daily on your place? 



Are the numbers any greater when the grain is sprouting? 



9. Do you prize the meadowlark as a song bird?- . 



10. On the whole do you consider the meadowlark a nuisance? 



When the returns as to whether the meadowlark is a nuisance, and as 

 to whether it causes damage to crops are classified as to counties, the 

 results are as follows : 



The results show that a majority of those who have taken the trouble 

 to answer the circular letter do not consider the meadowlark a nuisance. 

 When the answers are classified as to counties, it becomes evident that 

 the bird does practically no harm in Southern California. The greatest 

 amount of complaint comes from the San Joaquin Vallej'. This can be 

 easily explained. Grain is the usual 'crop raised in this locality, and 

 meadowlarks are more abundant here than elsewhere. The combination 

 of these two factors explains the reason for this greater complaint. 

 These reports have substantiated the conclusions reached in field work 

 damage to sprouting oats -is greatest; damage to melons has been 

 exaggerated. 



