146 WESTEKN MEADOW LARK. 



themselves ; although their soft purple beak ap- 

 pears ill-adapted to perform such labour, although 

 the wood, being soft from decay, easily crumbles. 

 They assemble in large flocks before migrating 

 in September. 



WESTERN MEADOW LARK (Sturnetta neglecta, 

 Aud.). After being shut up, and closely impri- 

 soned by the bitter cold and deep snows of a 

 North-western winter, one hails with delight the 

 first heralds, announcing the prospect of speedy 

 relief sunshine and summer. The meadow- 

 larks (or starlings, more correctly) are amongst the 

 earliest arrivals, making their appearance in the 

 interior of British Columbia, before the snow has 

 begun to thaw even from the roofs of the log-huts. 



Their custom, on first arriving, is to sit on the 

 extreme tops of the sprays that project above 

 the snow. The brilliant golden-yellow, decking 

 their breasts, and the rich browns on the back 

 and wings, are in such vivid contrast with the 

 intense white on every side, that one is almost 

 tempted to imagine some magi's hand had con- 

 jured gorgeous blossoms on the leafless sticks; 

 until the mellow plaintive songs, pealing over the 

 wintry waste, tells you that life is there, with 

 hope and confidence in coming events. Leaves, 

 flowers, grass, insects, all are missing, still the 



