Family Icteridce- -Meadowlark 125 



The nest is purse-shaped, and is attached to the 

 very end of a bough, preferably of an elm. Eggs 

 are laid about the first of June. 



The song is a loud, clear whistle, in which may 

 be noticed at intervals the syllables tu-wee tu-wee. 

 " The female, too, has her own peculiar and very 

 pretty notes, which she incessantly warbles as she 

 weaves her curiously elaborate nest." The oriole 

 sings from the time of arrival to departure, but is 

 nearly silent in July, and in August sings only in the 

 early morning, and then but a few simple notes. 



LITERATURE: 



A Naturalist's Rambles. (Art. " A Short Study of Birds' Nests.") 

 C. C. ABBOTT. 



Birdways. OLIVE THORNE MILLER. 

 In Nesting-Time. IBID. 



69. MEADOWLARK; FIELDLARK 



(Sturnella inagna.} 



Upper parts dark brown, streaked with flaxen, the general effect 

 being somewhat like that of a sparrow's back ; under parts 

 bright yellow, the f orebreast crossed by a heavy black crescent ; 

 outer tail feathers largely white. Beak long, strong, black ; 

 feet horn-color. Sexes similar, save that the female is smaller 

 and somewhat duller. Size of male about that of a robin ; 

 female distinctly smaller. 



THIS beautiful bird frequents the meadows and 

 pasturelands from spring until late fall, and accord- 

 ing to Brewster, is common near the coast even 



