EASTERN MEADOWLARK 55 



habits, restricting their daily excursions to the immediate vicinity of 

 their chosen haunts. As a rule they are timid, or at least retiring 

 disposition, and when alarmed or pursued seek safety in concealment 

 rather than extended flights." 



Meadowlarks migrate by night because they are either afraid to 

 venture on long exposed journeys by daylight, or unable to continue 

 these journeys day after day without losing much time in stopping 

 to search for food. By taking the nights for traveling they can devote 

 the days entirely to feeding and resting in their favorite haunts. 



Milton B. Trautman (1940) in his observations at Buckeye Lake, 

 Ohio, differs from the conclusions reached by Brewster. He writes: 



Few Eastern meadowlarks were seen or heard migrating in very late evenings 

 and early mornings, but many more were observed in the daylight hours. In 

 late March and April individuals and loose flocks of as many as 60 flew northward 

 at a low elevation across the lake. Loose flocks of 5 to 100 birds were often 

 observed flying during spring and fall. The flocks generally flew a short distance 

 and began to feed. Presently, those in the rear rose into the air and, flying over 

 the flock, alighted in front to feed again. This maneuver was many times 

 repeated. When the flock reached an obstruction, such as woods, cattail swamp, 

 or lake, it flew over in a long loose column. The flocks traveled in this leisurely 

 manner 2 to 6 miles an hour. Sometimes the flocks stopped feeding and flew 1 

 to 3 miles at a low elevation before dropping to the earth to feed again. 



At Ithaca, N. Y., G. B. Saunders (MS., see p. 56) has found that 

 the first meadowlarks to be seen early in the j^ear are males. As 

 early as January young birds which may be classed as vagrants are 

 reported. Upon the advent of warmer weather more vagrants which 

 have wintered only a short distance to the south wander in, feeding 

 in manured fields and about farm buildings. Stormy weather often 

 covers the fields with snow and sends them into barnyards where they 

 may pick their food along with domesticated animals. Not infre- 

 quently many of these early meadowlarks perish in the long blizzards 

 which put an end to their food supply. 



Later, usually about the middle of March, the first migrants appear. 

 These are old males, few in number and quiet in manner, which have 

 wintered far to the south. By the end of March the migrant males 

 become abundant. Song is less common among these early flocks of 

 migrants than among the first resident males, which come a week or 

 so later. When these arrive in the latter part of March they are active 

 in the mornings and late afternoon, but during midday they often 

 retire to a common feeding ground which the birds from different 

 terri tones share without any apparent hostility. Their early song, 

 although sweet and full of spirit, is not of the brilliance which char- 

 acterizes it in April when the first resident females arrive. 



Groups of migrants and resident males continue to arrive until 

 the latter part of April. The last resident males establish themselves 



380928 — 57 5 



