14 



The Bulletin. 



far-reaching whistle of "laziness will kill you" is enough to arouse 

 in the mind of the hearer more than a passing notice. It is a com- 

 mon bird throughout eastern United States in the summer months, 

 and winter finds it still inhabiting most suitable localities from 

 the District of Columbia southward. Living as it does on the 

 ground, it is seldom seen perched aloft unless for the purpose of 

 singing, or when resting after its search for food. In flying it 

 proceeds by alternately sailing and beating its wings rapidly. The 

 nest is an oven-like structure concealed under a tuft of grass or 

 small bush, and the eggs, which are four or five in number, are 

 beautifully spotted from Nature's bounteous palette. 





"\ 



Meadow Lark. 



(After Beal, Fanners' Bulletin No. 54, Office of Experiment Stations. U. S. Deportment 



of Agriculture.) 



The Lark is essentially a bird of the fields, but in the open pine 

 woods of the East it finds a territory suitable for its occupancy. 

 When on the ground it does not hop like many small birds, but 

 walks like a crow or chicken, occasionally expanding its tail feathers 

 with a sudden jerky movement which displays well the outer white 

 tail feathers of that member. 



Our Meadow Lark is a decidedly handsome bird, and probably 

 in part for this reason and because it affords a rather easy mark 

 for the gunner, many are shot for the mouthful of flesh to be found 

 beneath their beautiful feathers. A parasitic worm often found 

 in the small of the back deters many experienced persons, however, 

 from pursuing the bird persistently. 



Few birds are more constant eaters of insects than the Lark. 

 Even in winter when snow lies thickly on the ground many stomachs 



