Territory in the Meadowlarks, Genus Sturnella.

Summary. A recent study of the comparative ethology and ecology of the morphologically similar meadowlarks of the American grasslands permitted (1) a comparison of territorial behaviour and (2) an analysis of the interspecific aspect of territorialism. Both species were found to be territorial in that the males spaced themselves on selected units of grassland, within which they mated, gathered food, and reared young, and which they defended against intruding meadowlarks. No differences were noted between the two species with regard to the establishment, size, or maintenance of territories. Species outside of the genus were normally tolerated within meadowlark territories. But territorial defence and display between males of the two species of meadlowarks was as frequent and intense as intraspecific display, resulting in the complete segregation of their territories. Interspecific territorialism may contribute to the continued independence of these species on a common breeding ground.