276 



Missouri Agricnltwal Report. 



the hearer more than a passing notice. It is a common bird through- 

 out eastern [Tnited 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. 



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. AYhen 

 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 Avell the outer white tail feathers of that 

 member. 



Our ]\Ieadow 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, froin 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 

 have been found to be filled largely with insects which have been pro- 

 cured about manure piles, the edges of straw stacks and similarly ex- 

 posed places. Two hundred and thirty-eight Meadow Lark stomachs 

 were examined by the United States Biological Survey. They had been 

 killed in various localities and at all seasons of the year. The object 

 of the experiment was to determine as accurately as possible the facts 

 regarding the bird's food. The results were carefully tabulated and the 

 following: interesting results were obtained : 



