APRIL 101 
namely, the naturalists. When Wilson or Audubon 
gets his eye on the unknown bird, the illusion van- 
ishes, and your phenomenon turns out to be one of 
the commonplaces of the fields or woods. 
A prominent April bird, that one does not have 
to go to the woods or away from his own door to see 
and hear, is the hardy and ever-welcome meadow- 
lark. What a twang there is about this bird, and 
what vigor! It smacks of the soil. It is the winged 
embodiment of the spirit of our spring meadows. 
What emphasis in its “ z-d-t, z-d-t,”” and what char- 
acter in its long, piercing note! Its straight, taper- 
ing, sharp beak is typical of its voice. Its note goes 
like a shaft from a crossbow; it is a little too sharp 
and piercing when near at hand, but, heard in the 
proper perspective, it is eminently melodious and 
pleasing. It is one of the major notes of the fields 
at this season. In fact, it easily dominates all 
others. ‘‘ Springo’ the year! spring o’ the year!” 
it says, with a long-drawn breath, a little plaintive, 
but not complaining or melancholy. At times it 
indulges in something much more intricate and lark- 
like while hovering on the wing in midair, but a 
song is beyond the compass of its instrument, and 
the attempt usually ends in a breakdown. A clear, 
sweet, strong, high-keyed note, uttered from some 
knoll or rock, or stake in the fence, is its proper 
vocal performance. It has the build and walk and 
flight of the quail and the grouse. It gets up before 
you in much the same manner, and falls an easy prey 
to the crack shot. Its yellow breast, surmounted by 
