12 HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS. 



time. He has still another song, not put down in the 

 books, which it has occasionally been my good fortune 

 to hear, a dainty little w^arble, clear and liquid as a rip- 

 pling brook. 



Of the migratory birds proper, the shore larks 

 {OtoGoris alpestris) are probably the first ones here from 

 the south. In moderate winters one may see them in 

 the city suburbs or outtying fields in Februar}^. They 

 often bring out the first brood in the latter part of 

 March, or early in April. Last year near the park 

 homestead a nest was found wdth four eggs, which were 

 hatched the first week in April. I have seen the young 

 birds running about as nimble as little partridges sev- 

 eral seasons as early as this. The late snoAVS often cover 

 the bird while she is sitting on the nest, and it is a mys- 

 tery hoAV she keeps herself and eggs from freezing. 

 These larks are so silent and retiring in manner that 

 their presence is less likely to be observed than that of 

 some of the later comers. In habit they are real 

 ground birds, but, unlike most such, they walk or run, 

 but do not hop. When closely pressed they take wing, 

 uttering a soft "cheep,'- rise rapidly to some height, 

 and then suddenly drop down again near the place of 

 starting. They seldom ahght on a tree or green bush, 

 but often perch on a rail or fence-stake by the roadside, 

 w^here, if undisturbed, they will sit silent for a long time. 



While on the wing they often indulge in a low, 

 monotonous warble, but their real song, which is 

 sprightly and musical, is generally given from the 

 ground, or from a perch on a stone in the open field. 



