82 SINGING BIRDS. 



pairing, in the latter end of the month of April, they have 

 a call, like ^tship, twee, the latter syllable in a fine and slender 

 tone, — something again alHed to the occasional notes of the 

 Red-winged Blackbird, to which genus (^Icterus) our Sturnella 

 is not very remotely allied. Towards the close of June little 

 else is heard from the species but the noisy twitter of the 

 female, preceded by a hoarse and sonorous '/imp or y 'ip, ac- 

 companied by an impatient raising and lowering of the wings, 

 and, in short, all the unpleasant and petulant actions of a 

 brood-hen, as she is now assiduously engaged in fostering 

 and supporting her helpless and dependent offspring. 



Their food consists of the larvae of various insects, as well as 

 worms, beetles, and grass-seeds, to assist the digestion of 

 which they swallow a considerable portion of gravel. It does 

 not appear that these birds add berries or fruits of any kind 

 to their fare, like the Starling, but usually remain the whole 

 summer in moist meadows, and in winter retire to the open 

 grassy woods, having no inclination to rob the orchard or gar- 

 den, and, except in winter, are of a shy, timid, and retiring 

 disposition. 



In the East the Meadowlark seldom ranges north of latitude 45°. 

 I met with but one example in New Brunswick, and learn that it is 

 rare near Montreal. It is common around Ottawa and throughout 

 southern Ontario. In winter these birds are found occasionally as 

 far north as southern New England and Illinois. 



Note. — A larger and paler form, named the Western Mead- 

 owlark (vS". tnagna neglectd)^ occurs in Wisconsin, Illinois, and 

 Iowa; and Mr. W. E. D. Scott has lately announced that the birds 

 found in southwestern Florida should be referred to mexicana, the 

 Mexican Meadowlark, which is the smallest of the three. 



A stray Starling {Sturnus vulgaris) is said to have wandered 

 from Europe to Greenland ; and some sixty were imported and 

 released in Central Park, New York, in 1890. They are thriving 

 and increasing, giving evidence of ability to withstand the winter 

 storm. 



A Troupial {Icterus icterus), a South American bird, was 

 taken by Audubon near Charleston, S. C. 



