LIV 



MEADOWLABK; FIELD LAKK 

 501. Sturnella magna magna (Linn.) 



iThe Meadowlark is ten inches long; its crown is 

 streaked with black and blackish-brown lines run behind 

 the eyes ; the lateral tail feathers are white. In general, 

 brown and black colors prevail over the back, and yellow 

 over the belly, with a black crescent on the breast. The 

 two sexes are much alike in plumage. Owing to this 

 bird's habit of constantly climbing over and through the 

 tough grass, near the ground, its tail feathers become 

 much worn and ragged by late fall of the year. In re- 

 cent years a number of instances have been reported 

 where the bird presented well-marked albinoism. 



Meadowlarks are abundant summer residents in 

 the vicinity of Kansas City, Missouri, breeding over 

 their broad range. Their color is of a dead grass char- 

 acter, well adapted to protective mimicry during the 

 ground-nesting period. They are insect feeders from 

 choice, and seed eaters by necessity, and are fond of 

 man's protecting surroundings. These birds are given 

 to hiding in the grass, depending on their coloring to 

 elude discovery. They alternately flap their wings and 

 sail, when flying. 



They nest on the ground, frequently arching over the 

 nest entrance with living and dead grasses. The eggs, 

 from two to five, are white with reddish-brown specks. 

 (Fig. 83.) In one nest I found ten eggs. I believe that 

 two mother birds claimed the ownership of that home, as 

 there were two females much interested in the tripod and 

 camera while it was near the site. Meadowlarks are shy 

 and return slowly after having been frightened from the 

 nest. 



Frank Chapman, the great ornithologist, says: "I 

 do not recall ever having seen a photograph of a Meadow- 

 lark at its nest, and the bird's avoiding the trip of the 

 camera hunter is no small tribute to the keenness of its 

 observation and discrimination. 



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