82 Handbook of Nature-Study 



The food of the meadow-lark during the entire year, consists almost 

 exclusively of insects which destroy the grass of our meadows. It eats 

 great quantities of grasshoppers, cut worms, chinch bugs, army worms, 

 wire worms, weevils, and also destroys some weed seeds. Each pupil 

 should make a diagram in his note-book showing the proportions of the 

 meadow-lark's different kinds of food. This may be copied from Audubon 

 Leaflet No. 3. The killing of the meadow-lark in New York State is a 

 punishable offence, as it should be in every state of the Union. Everyone 

 who owns a meadow should use his influence to the uttermost to protect 

 this valuable bird. It has been estimated that the meadow-larks save to 

 every township where hay is produced, twenty-five dollars each year on 

 this crop alone. 



The meadow-lark's covered nest, 

 Photo by Robert Matheson 



LESSON XVIII 



THE MEADOW-LARK 



Leading thought The meadow-lark is of great value in delivering the 

 grass of our meadows from insect destroyers. It has a song which we all 

 know; it can be identified by color as a large, light brown bird with white 

 feathers on each side of the tail, and in flight, by its quick up and down 

 movements finishing with long, low, smooth sailing. 



Method September and October are good months for observations on 

 the flight, song and appearance of the meadow-lark, and also for learning 



