Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1913-04-18
BIRDS THAT NEST
IN THIS VICINITY
: THE WESTERN MEADOW
LARK.
BY Eugene c. Ford.

"What bird is that which so resem-
bles the down-cast meadowiark. but
has so much sweeter song?' is almost
sure to be the inquiry of IN eastern
resident who is in the west in spring
time.
The general habits of the western
meadowlark do not differ materially
from those of the eastern species. The
plumage is much the same. except that
the yellow on the underparts extends
farther up on the sides. The chief diff
ference being in the notes. which in
the western species are louder and
have a muc sweeter tone. Fol- a long
period of time the western species was
neglected by scientists. being cOnsid-
cred a s~ub-species of the eastern and
given little attention. So much was
this true that the word "neglecta' was
added to its Latin name. But at a
recent meeting of the American Orni-
biologist union mad it an independent
species. suppose the bird feels
highly IGNORED that its claims have
at last been acknowledged by this
learned society.
They are among our very earliest
arrivals from the land of sunshine in
the south. The date at which they
reach Sioux City in their journey
northward is about March 10. 1t is
probable that they make from 30 to
wv IiS PCt ia II ttC IOI u dLC
journey. The question has been raised
whether they "a not occasionally
winter in this latitude. An observer
from Armour s. d.. reports that a bird
was seen there January %. 1911. But
this is a rare occurrence. U%ndoubted-
ly. however. they winter at no great
distance south Of us.
The nest is built on the ground. in
the eadow at a good distance from
trees. generally at the foot of a bunch
Of grass and is often arched over
and occasionally a winding passage
leads to it. II is somewhat difficult
for this reason to find the nest, and
also from the fact that the male is
very watchful and gives ample warn
ing of approaching danger when ne is
near. But occasionally he will b. gone
and then as you walk through the
meadow YOU may be startled by hav-
ing a bird fly up suddenly from before
grass carefully IL you would discover
the domicile of our feathered friend.
II the date happens to be after May
Is o will probably find from four to
six white eggs. spotted or speckled with
cinnamon or redish brown. or if a few
weeks later In the season the naked
little one
The meadowlark is considered one
Of our most beneficial birds. Some one
Interested in agriculture has figured
out that every one of these birds that
lives a season on the farmers land
is worth to him from $50 to 81 for
the Injurious insects destroyed. They
are strictly ground birds. seldom ris-
Ing higher thar a fence post or pos
sibly a telephone pole and the branches
of the lower trees.
They are beautiful singers. Their
song has been described as "a clear.
%plaintive whistle Of unusual sweet
noSa moro nooa oip00 ,nnorA ~.
scarcely be heard than that of a flock
of meadowiarks. gathered as they
often do. in the branches of some low
tree in the morning hours. each one
seeming to try to outdo the others in
singing. These concerts are warnings,
part on their journey. which takes
place in the latter part of October and
the first week in November.
eLuEeiRp.
The bluebird is the most patriotic OF
all birds. at least IL the continued and
faithful wearing Of the national colors
IS a sign OF patriotism. Red, white and
blue is the color of his coat. and he is
not afraid to show his color undcr
any circumstances.
ity OF Sioux City. almost II not quite
as common az h robin. 1t has to be
a very cold spring indeed that keeps
him out later than March 10, and IL
the spring is early o may see him
Oeiore That date. This makes him one
OF the earliest arrivals. the meadow
lark n robin usually beating him nv
a few days.
1t will pay you to put up a box. II
you are the least bit interested in
birds: n watch proceedings as the
POSSIBLE sites foI u nome are inspected.
the nest built and the family reafed.
May Y usually hnd the nest CON
structed and carefully lined with dry
grasses or feathers and from four 10
Blk light BLUSH eggs deposited therein.
But the bluebird oes not believe in
race suicide. for two and sometimes
three broods are often a in a
season.
II your garden o trees are both.
cred with destructive insects you will
be we'll repaid In another way for
any time Q may spend in inducing
the bluebtrd to make his home near
yours. a examination Of the stom-
achs OF 500 OF these birds show that
- per cent of their food consists of
insects and their allies. Beetles COM
prise - per cent OF their whole food:
g-rasshoppers. Y per cent: c%aterpillers.
!! per cent. and various insects, in
Guiding quite q number Of spiders. COM
prise remainder Of the animal
John Burroughs has called attention
20 the fact that blue Ii q a color IN
the bird world. the kinRnsher. the law
m the bluebird being the only ones
IN which this color predominates. II
VIII thus be seen that he belongs Ia
an exclusive set in bird society. AZ
the 9reebss are placed by s~cientists
et the bottom Of the ladder OF classi-
sncatton. the bluebird Il placed. al ne
top: the Caucasian Of bird civilization.
The old ana young. In families. M
ual!y rove around IN the late hummer
and fail and. about October 10. depart