108 BIRDS OF SOUTH DAKOTA 
Meadowlark is not a “Lark,” but a Starling. It was called a 
“Lark” by the first settlers in New England because it reminded 
them of the English Skylark. The Starlings are all weavers, 
and while the Meadowlark builds its nest upon the ground in the 
hay meadow, it carefully arches it over with dried grass woven 
into a well shaped roof, and sometimes there is a runway two — 
feet long through the standing grass to the entrance. 
The general coloration of the Western Meadowlark is 
paler than that of the Eastern, and the black crescent on its 
breast is not so prominent. The yellow of the throat usually 
extends up on the lower cheeks and the bars on the tail feathers 
are more distinct. 
506. OrcHarRpD ORIOLE (Icterus spurius.) 
In color the Orchard Oriole is chestnut where the Balti- 
more is orange. It is slightly smaller and neither so beautiful 
nor such a good weaver as the Baltimore. It builds a shallower 
nest and lashes it to twigs and leaves after the fashion of Red- 
wing’s nest in the rushes. Indeed this Starling seems to stand 
midway between Baltimore and Redwing in color, song notes, 
and weaving ability. The female is olive yellow above and dull 
yellow below, with black markings. The young of the first 
year are like the female, but with a black throat. 
507. BALTIMORE ORIOLE (Icterus galbula.) 
The Baltimore is the most expert weaver of the Starlings, 
as well as the most beautiful in coloration and the most accom- 
plished in song. His long pendant nest is placed in the high 
tree top, where he is more frequently heard than seen. But with 
his deep orange body, contrasting with his black head, wings and 
middle tail feathers, it is more difficult for him to hide than for 
his modest female with her dull yellow dress. The young males 
of this Oriole resemble the female the first season. The second 
season the yellow parts are nearly lemon color and deepen to 
orange red with age. A summer resident east of the Missouri 
River. 
508. ButiocK’s OrioLe (Icterus bullocki.) 
Frequently seen nesting along the sparsely wooded creeks 
west of the Missouri River, where it seems to take the place 
