146 LIFE ON THE FARM. 



the same latitude elsewhere. It is even successful 

 in securing some insects during this cold season, as 

 is evidenced by the examination of its stomach. 

 It is able to subsist for some time on a vegetable 

 diet, weed seed especially, and returns farther 

 north very early in spring. 



Meadow larks are often killed just for the sport 

 of shooting at them, and some are killed for food. 

 When, however, the great value of these birds is 

 known, it is hoped that all such wanton waste will 

 stop entirely. 



The song of the meadow lark is not so sweet as 

 that of the famous English lark, nor as that of 

 some other American birds; but it is of no mean 

 character. Most of our best song-birds dispense 

 their music from the tops of shrubs or trees, and 

 seldom from the ground in open fields. The 

 meadow lark, however, cheerful at its work in its 

 lowly station, pours forth happy, whistling notes 

 all day long, where otherwise silence and monotony 

 would reign. 



SOME OTHER BENEFICIAL BIRDS. 



The limits of this volume will not permit a 

 description in detail of the habits of all useful 

 birds in this section of the United States. So we 

 must be content with a passing notice of only a few 

 more. 



The value of quails as insect destroyers has long 

 been known by the farmers of the Central States, 



