174 MEADOAYLARK. 



is almost sure to iind Meadowlarks. Tliey are strong- 

 legged walkers, and spend all tlieir time while feeding 

 Meadowiark, on the ground. Like all terrestrial, 

 St unidia magna, protectively colored birds, they often 

 Plate XXXIX. ^^^ ^^ escape observation by hiding in 

 the grasses rather than by flying. When perched in a 

 tree or other exposed position, they are among the shyest 

 of our smaller birds, rarely permitting a near approach ; 

 but when they fancy themselves concealed on the ground 

 they sometimes " lie as close " as Bob-whites. When 

 flushed they fly rapidly, alternately flapping and sailing, 

 showing as they fly the white feathers on either side of 

 their tail. These feathers are the Meadowlark's best field 

 character. They are very conspicuous when he is on the 

 wing, and, when perching, if he is alarmed or excited, he 

 exposes them by nervously flitting or twitching his tail. 

 This movement is generally accompanied by a single 

 nasal call-note, which changes to a rolling twitter as the 

 bird takes wing. Xeither of these notes give any indi- 

 cation of the sweetness of the bird's song, a high musical 

 whistle, clear as the note of a fife, sweet as the tone of a 

 flute. It is subject to nmch variation both individual 

 and local, but the song I oftenest hear in northern New 

 Jersey may be written : 



^ 



^^ 





When singing, the birds usually perch in an exposed po- 

 sition, generally choosing the topmost branches of a tree 

 or a dead limb. 



The Meadowlark's nest is placed upon the ground, as 

 a rule, in a tuft of grasses which is arranged to form a 

 dome over it. The eggs, four to six in number, are laid 

 about May 15, and in color are white, spotted or speckled 

 with cinnamon or reddish brown. 



