12 



BIKDS OF A MARYLAND FARM. 



(PI. VIII, fig. 1), which, however, is the most steady in price, and 

 during good years the most profitable crop. Vegetables, strawber- 

 ries, pears, grapes, and quinces are grown in an inclosed kitchen 

 garden adjoining the dooryard on its upper side. Beyond is a hog lot 

 of several acres, with a small wooded gully leading down to the river 

 and affording shade to the dozen or more hogs that range there (PI. 

 IV, fig. 2). 



DISTRIBUTION OF BIRDS. 



After this preliminary account of the topography and the products 

 of the farm we may consider the birds and their relation to the crops. 

 The whole farm with its arable land, river shore, steep bluff, and low 

 calamus swamp bordered on one side by the high hill and on another 

 by the extent of level forest, presents conditions so varied as to attract 

 many different kinds of birds. The actual distribution of the various 

 species is of great importance. Other things being equal, those that 

 live on the arable land, and thus have the best opportunity to check 

 the work of injurious plants and insects, may be expected to do the 

 greatest good, while such as frequent only the swamp or the remote 

 woodland have little effect on crops. 



BIRDS THAT FEED IN OPEN FIELDS. 



Meadowlark. — The meadowlark (fig. 1) is a good example of species 



Fig. 1.— Mcurl.nvlark. 



of the former class. It was found breeding in all the lots, usually in a 

 timothy field or an old weedy cornfield (PL V, fig. 1), and was present 

 m numbers sufficient to do much good. In late summer flocks of 20 

 were often seen, and in November usually more than twice that num- 

 ber. These birds in their feeding completely covered the open parts 

 of the lots, and came fearlessly up to the barns and foraged within a 

 stone's throw of the house. 



