2l6 



THE COLUMBIAN HORNED LARK. 



modulation, altho they quite defy vocalization; yet such are the circumstances 

 attending its deHvery that it is set down by everyone as "pleasing," while 

 for the initiated it possesses a charm which is quite unique. Tividyc-'H'idgc, 

 widgity, ■zvidgy-widge, conveys no idea of the tone-quality, indeed, but may 

 serve to indicate the proportion and tempo of the common song; while Tzvidge, 

 zeidgity, ccluoy, eclooy, idgity, cclouy, cciv, may serve the same purpose for 



J<i5f>,o\^. 



COLUMBIAN aoRiXED LARKS. 



the rare ecstasy song. The bird sometimes sings from a fence post, a sage 

 bush, or e\-en from a hummock on tlie ground, but usually the impulse of song 

 takes him up inti) the free air. Here at almost any hour of the day he may 

 be seen poising at various heights, like a miniature hawk, and sending down 

 tender words of greeting and cheer to the little wife who broods below. 



It is, however, at the sacred hour of sunset that the soul nf the heavenly 

 singer takes wing for its ethereal abode. The sun is just sinking; the faithful 

 spouse has settled herself to her gentle task for the night; and tlie bird-man 

 has lain down in the shadow of the fence to gaze at the sky. The bird gives 

 himself to the buoyant influences of the trembling air and mounts aloft by 

 easy gradations. As he rises he swings round in a wide, loose circle, singing 



