VALUE OF BORN ED LARK. 33 
larks of this region, considered separately, are even more insectivorous 
than those from east of the Mississippi, one-fourth of their food being 
animal matter. 
The charges made by fanners that the horned larks cat uewly sown 
grain are confirmed, but in attempting to estimate the economic value 
of the birds it must be borne in mind that the insects they eat com 
pensate many fold for the seed grain taken, even considered bulk for 
bulk. As a matter of fact, however, the insects eaten constitute 
almost twice as great a proportion of the food as the grain, including 
even that which is waste. As may be seen from the foregoing table, 
the grain-eating proclivities of the bird in most parts of the country 
result in very little damage to the farmer. Furthermore, even this 
small amount of injury is preventable by the use of a deep-planting 
drill in seeding. 
It is impossible to estimate in dollars and cents the benefits result- 
ing from the work of the horned lark, but it is none the less real on 
that account. Moreover, the services of the bird cost the farmer 
practically nothing save a small toll levied here and there upon svvd 
grain. So small in amount is the grain thus taken and over such 
restricted areas that, aside from the fact that at small expense all 
damage can be prevented, the loss bears no comparison to the benefits 
conferred. The horned lark by its services to agriculture earns a 
right to live, and deserves protection at the hands of man. 
