A NOTABLE QUARTETTE 287 



and those of the bobolink is to be noted. The latter 

 usually rises in the air, soars around in a curve, and 

 returns to the perch from which he started, or to one 

 near by, describing something of an ellipse. The lark 

 bunting generally rises obliquely to a certain point, 

 then descends at about the same angle to another perch 

 opposite the starting-point, describing what might be 

 called the upper sides of an isosceles triangle, the base 

 being a line near the ground, connecting the perch 

 from which he rose and the one on which he alighted. 

 I do not mean to say that our bunting never circles, 

 but simply that such is not his ordinary habit, while 

 sweeping in a circle or ellipse is the favorite pastime 

 of the eastern bobolink. The ascent of neither bird is 

 very high. They are far from deserving the name of 

 skylarks. 



We must give a detailed account of the bunting's 

 song. Whatever others may think of him, I have come 

 under the spell of his lyrical genius. True, his voice 

 has not the loud, metallic ring, nor his chanson the 

 medley-like, happy-go-lucky execution, that marks the 

 musical performances of the bobolink ; but his song is 

 more mellow, rhythmic, themelike ; for he has a distinct 

 tune to sing, and sing it he will. In fine, his song is of 

 a different order from that of the bobolink, and, there- 

 fore, the comparison need be carried no further. 



As one of these minstrels sat on a flowering weed and 



