164 BIRDS 



''The trap has been set," continues Chapman, **I 

 know from my own experience as well as that of others, 

 but the birds are so suspicious that the most carefully 

 concealed camera near their nest is sufficient to scare 

 them away." 



I have succeeded in getting some very good pictures 

 of the bird on the nest. I set my camera on its tripod 

 directly over the nest, concealing the legs with living 

 weeds, and using a line two hundred feet long. This was 

 before I began using the tent. After the camera was in 

 position I patiently awaited the bird's return; she 

 alighted on the ground within twenty feet of the nest; 

 then, with all of the stealth possible, she approached, with 

 drooping wings, lowered head and tail dragging on the 

 ground. As she passed the border of the nest I pulled 

 the string that released the shutter and a Meadowlark's 

 picture at the nest was secured. The following season 

 I made a picture of another bird quietly incubating. 

 (Fig. 84.) 



Barbed wire fence posts are favorite song-perching- 

 places for this sweet, though not voluble, songster. Part 

 of its song has been interpreted by someone as "Laziness 

 will kill you ! ' ' and to me that is about as nearly correct 

 an interpretation of the sounds as any I have seen in 

 print. Again its call comes, "I see you — you can't see 

 me-ee-e!" Once to see and hear this bird is always to 

 remember it and its song. 



Meadowlarks remain in pairs during the breeding 

 season, but congregate in large flocks during the winter 

 in Florida and other southern states. These birds are 

 ever cheerful and are a valuable asset to any farm, golf 

 course or city park. Their glorious song has brought 

 good cheer to many a downcast, as to Riley's Discon- 

 tented Farmer : 



''Does the medderlark complain, as he swings high and 

 dry 



Through the waves of the wind and the blue of the sky? 



Ort a mortal be complainin' when dumb animals re- 

 joice?" 



