riiK LVKivs. 215 



of slimy earth. j\.bout tlio middle of ilarcli they generally disappear on their route to 

 tlie north. Forster informs us that they visit the environs of Albany Fort in tlie 

 beginning of Jlaj', but go further north to breed, and that the}' feed on grass-seeds 

 and buds of the birch, and run into small lioles, keeping close to the ground. This 

 same species appears also to be found in I'oland, Russia, and Siberia, in winter ; from 

 \^'heuce they also retire further north on the approach of spring, except in the north-east 

 parts and near the high mountains.'' 



THE MEAD(nV' LAHK.* 



Although this well-kno«-n American bird cannot be brought into successful comparison 

 \\ith the sky-lark of Europe, as regards its powers of song, yet in richness of plumage, 

 ns well as in sweetness of voice, so far as its few notes extend, we are assured that it is 

 superior. By some naturalists this bird has been classed with the starlings on account 

 of its being unpossessed of the long straight bird-claw by which many of this tribe are 

 distinguished, but in all the important characteristics which mark its place in the 

 present order of birds, its position is clearl}^ indicated. 



This species has a verj' extensive range. Wilson mentions that he has seen them in 

 Upper Canada, and in each of the States, from New Hampshire to New Orleans ; and it 

 is also affirmed that they are equally abvmdant in East Florida. They frequent pasture 

 fields and meadows, where they most readily procure the seeds and insects on which the}' 

 feed. In South Carolina and Georgia they swarm among the rice plantations, runniu^j' 

 about the j'ards and outhouses as if quite domesticated. 



At the termination of the building season these birds collect in flocks. Their flight is 

 laborious and stead}', renewing the action of the wings alternately ; and when they alight 

 on trees or bushes, they prefer the tops of the highest branches, from which they send 

 forth a long, clear, and somewhat melancholy note, which in sweetness and tenderness is 

 not surpassed by any of oiu- numerous warblers. This is sometimes followed by a kind 

 of low, rapid chattering, the particular call of the female ; and then the clear, plainti-se 

 strain is rejisated' as before. They afibrd tolerably good amusement to the sportsman, 

 being easily shot when on the \ving ; and as they frequently squat among the long grass, 

 and then arise within gunshot, the opportunity of shooting them is easily obtained. The 

 nest is formed iii a tuft of grass, and is composed of dry grass, leaving an ai'ched 

 entrance level with the ground. The eggs are white in colour, and sometimes five in 

 number, but more generally they do not exceed four. Their food consists of caterpillars, 

 grub ^^•orms, beetles, and grass seed, with which they take a good deal of gravel. f 



This bird has eight or ten long-pointed blackish feathei's rising on the head, and 

 forming a beautiful perpendicidar crest. When wild, it is only in autumn and winter 

 that the crested larks appear in Saxony in small or large flights beside the high-roads, 

 on dunghills, near barns and stables, and among sparrows and yellow-hammers. They 

 are not natives of Britain, but are found all over Europe, from Sweden to Italy. In 

 summer, thev frequent the thickets and bushes of the plains, fields, and ineadows, or 

 thev inhabit the hollows of ditches, paths in woods, and elevated villages. 



* Alauda ^Mug-iia. t Wilson. J Alauda Cristata.— Linn. 



