THE MEADOW LARK. 



43 



not often at any great distance, except during its 

 migrations. Its nest is a loose structure composed 

 of grass, fibrous roots, etc., and is placed at the base 

 of a tuft of weeds or grass, in a small cavity scooped 



Meadow Lark. 



out of the earth ; it is partially concealed from view 

 by being covered with leaves and by the blades of 

 growing grass drawn around it. The Meadow Lark 

 justly merits a prominent place among our song birds 

 for th3 sweetness and plaintive melody of its few sim- 

 ple notes, with which, in company with the Wood 

 Thrush it is among the first to welcome the dawn. 

 The male and female are quite similar in their ap- 

 pearance, being mottled with brown and fawn color 

 upon the head, back, and wings, while the chin and 



