THE MEADOW-LARK. 345 



some were only partly covered, still there was a decided 

 roof to all. The eggs are usually four in number: their 

 color is generally nearly pure-white, sometimes reddish- 

 white, with fine spots of reddish-brown diffused over the 

 entire surface of some specimens ; on others, thinly scat- 

 tered spots, blotches of two or three shades of brown and 

 lilac. Their dimensions vary from 1.10 by .85 to 1 by .78 

 inch. Their form is usually a rounded oval. 



A rather peculiar specimen, kindly presented me by 

 Mr. J. P. Norris, of Philadelphia, is nearly spherical in 

 form, rosy-white in color, with exceedingly minute dots of 

 reddish. Size, 1.05 by .90 inch. Nuttall says of the food 

 of this species, — 



" Their food consists of the larvie 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 this species ever adds berries or fruits of any kind to his fare, 

 like the Starling, but usually remains the whole summer in moist 

 meadows ; and in winter retires to the open, grassy woods, having 

 no inclination to rob the orchard or garden ; and, except in winter, 

 is of a shy, timid, and retiring disposition." 



But one brood is reared in the season. 



In the autumn, the Larks collect in small flocks of ten or 

 a dozen, which visit the marshes and stubble-fields in their 

 neighborhood. Their note at tliis season, as in other periods 

 of the year, is nothing but a shrill, prolonged, plaintive 

 whistle. Usually one bird of a flock is perched on a tree 

 or fence-post as a sentinel ; and, the moment a gunner 

 approaches, the bird gives his alarm, and the flock is on the 

 qui vive. They are so shy that it is extremely difficult to 

 approach them; and, when shot at, they are secured only by 

 guns of long range. Their flight is a peculiar hovering 

 one, — the wings moving in short, almost imperceptible, 

 vibrations. 



