MEADOWLARKS 
369 
obnoxious “Ricebird” that settles upon the crops in thousands and causes 
decided damage. In the south before the Migratory Birds Convention 
Act was in force he was shot in great numbers and sold for food. 
Economic Status. The bobolink in Canada is an irreproachable bird 
who charms us with his song and whose bad habits have yet to be discov- 
ered. In May and June, 90 per cent of its food consists of injurious insects, 
and 10 per cent of weed seeds with a few useful insects. In July and August 
a very little grain is added. Yet this bird, owing to its devastation of the 
rice fields, is regarded as a pest in the southern states. 
Flocks of from 25,000 to 30,000 have been reported on 60 acres of rice 
and the damage done a year is estimated at about one-quarter of the 
entire crop. This is a striking example of the economic status of a species 
changing with season, locality, and circumstance. 
501. Eastern Meadowlark. l’£tourneau des pr£s de l’est. Sturnella magna. 
L, 10-75. Plate LXXIB. 
Distinctio?is. Unmistakable for any other species in eastern Canada (Bill, Figure 
461), but so like the Western Meadowlark in form and coloration as not to be easily 
distinguished from it in species. Fortunately their ranges in Canada are not known to 
overlap and their voices are decidedly distinct. (For other distinctions See next species.) 
Field Marks. The striking, yellow breast with sharp, black necklace; while flying, 
the white outer tail feathers, and peculiar manner of flight are good recognition marks for 
a meadowlark. Eastern occurrence and the familiar clear, long whistle, quite different 
from that of the Western Meadowlark, are characteristic. 
Nesting. On ground, nest of grasses, usually arched over like an oven. 
Distribution. Eastern North America north to the limits of cultivation. 
The clear call of the meadowlark is often the first indication of the 
coming of spring. Coming with or sometimes even before the robin and 
the bluebird, it haunts upland pastures and from the top of an isolated 
tree or fence-post, pours out its rich, clear, far-carrying calls. 
Economic Status. The meadowlark is one of the farmer’s most valu- 
able assistants. Living close to the ground it attacks most of the worst 
crop foes. Its food is made up of 75 per cent insects, 12 per cent weed 
seeds, and 13 per cent grain nearly all taken in the late autumn and early 
spring months and obviously owing to the scarcity of insects. This bird 
should receive absolute protection. 
Figure 461 
Eastern Meadowlark. Western Meadowlark. 
Distinction details of the two meadowlarks. Heads and uppertail-co verts. 
The shaded areas on the throats show the extent of the yellow colour. 
501. 1. Western Meadowlark, l’etqurneau des pres de l'ouest. Sturnella 
neglecta. L, 10 -75. Plate LXXI B. In colour practically identical with the Eastern 
Meadowlark. About the size of a large robin, striped brown above, lemon-yellow throat, 
breast, and underparts with contrastive black necklace or gorget. Bill, long and pointed 
(See Figure 461). 
