72 AVIFAUNA COLUMBIANA. 



in March. The nest is a rude structure, placed in a bush or sapling, or 

 clump of reeds or weeds, usually quite near the ground ; the eggs are 

 greenish, curiously limned in zigzag with dark lines, as well as marked 

 with various purplish-brown spots. [31G] 



110. (143.) Sturnella magna (Linn.) Sw. Meadow Lark; Field Lark. 



Resident all the year round, but less numerous in summer than at 

 other seasons, as the greater number go farther north to breed. It in- 

 habits exclusively fields and meadows, and has the habit of alighting 

 on trees and fences surrounding the fields, as well as upon the ground. 



Fig. 51. — Bill and foot of Meadow Lark, nat. size. 



In September it collects in flocks sometimes numbering hundreds of 

 individuals, and is then shy and wary. It is considered "game" by 

 youthful and other amateur sportsmen, and large numbers are destroyed 

 for sport or for the table. The nest is a grassy ball upon the ground ; 

 the eggs are white, spotted with reddish. [320] 



111. (14.">.) Icterus spurius (Linn.) lip. Orchard Oriole. 



A summer resident, not uncommon ; arrives first week in May, and 

 remains until the latter part of September, in high, open woods, orchards, 

 parks, and meadows fringed with tall trees. Some always breed in the 

 public grounds within the city. In the memorable spring of 1882, the 

 Orchard Orioles were conspicuous beyond all the other birds for their 

 numbers everywhere in the city. On the 15th of May, we saw in the 

 Smithsonian Grounds a flock of at least a hundred, mixed with a few 

 Baltimores, rambling over the ground in a new-mown grass plot — a very 

 unwonted spectacle. Next after the political Bobolinks in the White 

 House grounds, the Orchard Orioles probably attracted the most 

 general attention. [324] 



112. (144.) Icterus galbula (Linn.) Coues. (I. haltimore of the original edition.) 



Baltimore Oriole. 



Chiefly a spring and autumn migrant, though many breed with us. 

 They arrive the first week in May, and remain through the greater part 

 of September. They frequent high, open woods, orchards, and parks, 



