PERCHERS: CROWS, JAYS, &c. 85 



wing bright crimson. The female is of a dusky color. 

 It is common about ponds and marshes, and builds its 

 nest in low bushes or tufts of sedges. 



The Meadow Lark is rather larger than the robin ; 

 the upper parts brown and brownish white, the under 



Fig. 140. Meadow Lark. 



parts yellow, with a black crescent upon the breast. 

 The nest is built at the foot of a tuft of grass, and is 

 covered over, except an entrance just large enough to 

 admit the owners. 



The Baltimore Oriole, or Hangbird, is about as large 

 as a sparrow, the color black and orange red, and is 

 one of the most beautiful birds in the United States. 

 Its song is loud, full, and mellow. Its hanging nest 

 is woven to the outer-drooping twigs of the elm and 

 other trees. It is made of fibres from the silkweed. 



CROWS, RAVENS, JAYS, AND MAGPIES. 



These are rather large birds. The Raven is the 

 largest. It is seldom seen east of the Mississippi River. 

 The Crow is known to all, and farmers regard it as 

 their enemy, because it pulls up the young corn ; but 

 it does much more good than harm, by destroying a 



