ICTERID^ - THE ORIOLES. 175 



Saskatchewan, where it arrives about the first of May. In a large portion 

 of the United States it is resident, or only partially migratory. 



In Maine this species is not abundant. A few are found in Southern 

 Maine, even as far to the east as Calais, where it is very rare. It was not 

 found in Oxford County by Mr. Verrill. In New Hampshire and Vermont, 

 especially in the southern portions, it is much more abundant. Throughout 

 Massachusetts it is a common summer visitant, a few remaining all winter, 

 the greater number coming in March and leaving again in November, at 

 which time they seem to be somewhat, though only partially, gregarious. 

 South of Massachusetts it becomes more generally resident, and is only very 

 partially migratory, where the depth of snow compels tliem to seek food 

 elsewhere. Wilson states that he met a few of these birds in the month 

 of February, during a deep snow, among the heights of the Alleghanies, 

 near Somerset, Penn. 



The favorite resorts of this species are old fields, pasture-lands, and mead- 

 ows, localities in which they can best procure the insects, largely coleopter- 

 ous, and the seeds on which they feed. They are not found in woods or 

 thickets, or only in very exceptional cases. 



In New England they are shy, retiring birds, and are rarely seen in the 

 neighborhood of houses ; but in Georgia and South Carolina, AVilson found 

 them swarming among the rice plantations, and running about in the yards 

 and the out-buildings, in company with the Killdeer Plovers, with little 

 or no appearance of fear, and as if domesticated. 



In Alabama and West Florida, Mr. Nuttall states, the birds abound dur- 

 ing the winter months, and may be seen in considerable numbers in the salt 

 marshes, seeking their food and the shelter of the sea-coast. They are then 

 in loose flocks of from ten to thirty. At this season many are shot and 

 brought to market. By some their flesh is said to be sweet and good ; but 

 this is denied by Audubon, who states it to be tough and of unpleasant flavor. 



Mr. Sclater records the occurrence of one or more individuals of this 

 species in England. 



The song of the eastern Meadow Lark is chiefly distinguished for its 

 sweetness more than any other excellence. When, in spring, at the height 

 of their love-season, they alight on the post of a fence, a bush, or tree, or 

 any other high object, they will give utterance to notes that, in sweetness 

 and tenderness of expression, are surpassed by very few of our birds. But 

 they are wanting in variety and power, and are frequently varied, but not 

 improved, by the substitution of chattering call-notes, which are much infe- 

 rior in quality. It is noticeable that at the West there is a very great im- 

 provement in the song of this bird as compared with that of their more 

 eastern kindred, though still very far from equalling, eitlier in volume, 

 variety, or power, tlie remarkable song of the ncfjhda. 



In tlie fall of the year these birds collect in small companies, and feed 

 together in the same localities, but keeping, individually, somewhat apart. 



