a 
THE MEADOW-LARK. 345 
some were only partly covered, still there was a decided 
roof to all. The eggs are usually four in number: their 
color is generally nearly pure-white, sometimes reddish- 
white, with fine spots of reddish-brown diffused over the 
entire surface of some specimens; on others, thinly scat- 
tered spots, blotches of two or three shades of brown and 
lilac. Their dimensions vary from 1.10 by .85 to 1 by .78 
inch. Their form is usually a rounded oval. 
A rather peculiar specimen, kindly presented me by 
Mr. J. P. Norris, of Philadelphia, is nearly spherical in 
form, rosy-white in color, with exceedingly minute dots of 
reddish. Size, 1.05 by .90 inch. Nuttall says of the food 
of this species, — 
“Their food consists of the larve of various insects, as well as 
worms, beetles, and grass seeds, to assist the digestion of which 
they swallow a considerable portion of gravel. It does not appear 
that this species ever adds berries or fruits of any kind to his fare, 
like the Starling, but usually remains the whole summer in moist 
meadows; and in winter retires to the open, grassy woods, having 
no inclination to rob the orchard or garden; and, except in winter, 
is of a shy, timid, and retiring disposition.” 
But one brood is reared in the season. 
In the autumn, the Larks collect in small flocks of ten or 
a dozen, which visit the marshes and stubble-fields in their 
neighborhood. Their note at this season, as in other periods 
of the year, is nothing but a shrill, prolonged, plaintive 
whistle. Usually one bird of a flock is perched on a tree 
or fence-post as a sentinel; and, the moment a gunner 
approaches, the bird gives his alarm, and the flock is on the 
qui vive. They are so shy that it is extremely difficult to 
approach them; and, when shot at, they are secured only by 
guns. of long range. Their flight is a peculiar hovering 
one,—the wings moving in short, almost imperceptible, 
vibrations. 
