BLACKBIRD, ORIOLE, AND MEADOWLAEK FAMILY. 65 



proclivity for oats, and if abundant would undoubtedly piove a 

 menace to the crop. 



WESTERN MEADOWLARK. 



(Sturnella neglecta.) 



Throughout California wherever grassy uplands, fields, and 

 meadows occur, there will be seen the western meadowlark. Low, 

 rich meadows, verging to marsh, with water near by, form ideal condi- 

 tions for this bird. Nor does it disdain fertile hillsides when not too 

 high, and when covered by a thick coat of herbage. Only pro- 

 fessional ornithologists take note of the plumage differences between 

 the eastern and western species of the meadowlark, but the difference 

 in song is evident to the dullest ear. Owing to the snow, meadowlarks 

 in the northern and eastern parts of the United States must migrate 

 in winter far enough south to find open ground, but in California 

 valleys no such necessity exists; so the bird remains on the same 

 range the year round, and carries on its good work of destroying 

 insects and weeds. 



A few complaints have been made that meadowlarks in California 

 eat the seeds of forage plants, notably clover, to an injurious extent. 

 As most of the forage plants, including the introduced grasses of the 

 Pacific coast lowlands, are annuals, the destruction of their seed 

 would lessen the next season's feed and be a damage. Probably, 

 however, such harm is done only under exceptional circumstances, 

 for the stomachs show only a very small percentage of seed of forage 

 plants and no clover seed. Another report is that the meadowlark 

 does considerable damage to peas. The earliest fields are most 

 visited by the birds, and small patches are sometimes almost com- 

 pletely destroyed. The later crops are not so badly damaged, and 

 in extensive areas the loss is hardly noticeable. All the reports of 

 damage to peas thus far received are from southern California, and 

 very likely the explanation lies in some peculiar local conditions. The 

 birds evidently lose their taste for this kind of food before the season 

 is over, and probably find something more palatable which is wanting 

 at first. 



In some parts of the San Joaquin Valley the meadowlark has been 

 accused, and probably with good reason, of pulling up sprouting grain 

 in early spring. It is stated that the bird bores down beside the new 

 plant and draws out the kernel. In many cases the amount of grain 

 thus destroyed is said to be large. In one instance it was stated that 

 the crop over a limited area was reduced 50 percent. The evidence, 

 however, is conflicting, as some grain growers in the same localities 

 are not aware of any loss. It thus seems probable that the damage 

 to grain by the meadowlark is limited in extent and very local. 

 38301— Bull. 34—10 5 



