FIELD BIRDS 119 



colors, he takes flight before we are within forty 

 yards of him. 



In March the Meadowlarks which have passed 

 the winter with us will leave for more northern 

 homes, and their places will be taken by new ar- 

 rivals from the south. 



The Woodpeckers and Ruffed Grouse are the 

 drummers among birds, but the Meadowlark plays 

 the fife. High, sweet and clear his notes ring like a 

 clarion call through the chill March air, and we stop 

 to greet the feathered fifer; — ^true herald of spring. 

 Later in the year, perhaps when his mate is near, 

 he sometimes sings while flying; a warbling, twitter- 

 ing song quite unlike that with which he announces 

 the birth of a new year. 



Meadowlarks have been known to nest within a 

 few yards of occupied houses, but as a rule they 

 show very little confidence in man; a fact I have 

 always regretted, for I am sure that these strong, 

 wholesome, hardy birds would be well worth num- 

 bering among one's friends. But they prefer their 

 own company to ours, and usually nest where they 

 are free from intrusion. The uncut and unused por- 

 tions of golf courses make admirable meeting places 

 for Meadowlarks. Here, in early May, they con- 

 struct their arched nests of grasses and lay four to 

 six white eggs, spotted and speckled with brown. 



