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LIVING CREATURES. 



It differs in habits, and is greatly superior in song. In 

 the prairie country of the North-west, it sings early 

 and late in the season ; early and late in the day. It 

 sings at rest and it sings while soaring. 



Mr. Ernest E. Thompson, whose experienced hand 

 Jias drawn many of the bird-pictures that adorn these 

 pages, has made the acquaintance of all the great sing- 

 ers, at home and abroad, in their native haunts ; and 

 of the prairie-lark he says: "It is one of two or three 

 great ones of the world of bird-song." 



We have, also, our sky-lark. In the region of the 

 upper Missouri River is the Missouri titlark, that rises 

 into the air while he sings a tune which some people 

 think quite equal to that of the European sky-lark. 



Let us open our ears and hearts to the beauty and 

 melody of the birds. Like the joy of the sunshine 

 and flowers; like the cheer of pleasant faces; like the 

 charm of kind words, good books, and loving friends, 

 they help to lighten the load of life. 



