MEADOW LARK. 307 



doubt supplies them abundantly with the particular seeds and 

 insects on which they feed. They are rarely or never seen in 

 the depth of the woods; unless where, instead of underwood, 

 the ground is covered with rich grass, as in the Chactaw and 

 Chickasaw countries, where I met with them in considerable 

 numbers in the months of May and June. The extensive and 

 luxuriant prairies between Vincennes and St. Louis also abound 

 with them. 



It is probable that in the more rigorous regions of the north 

 they may be birds of passage, as they are partially so here; 

 though I have seen them among the meadows of New Jersey, 

 and those that border the rivers Delaware and Schuylkill, in all 

 seasons; even when the ground was deeply covered with snow. 

 There is scarcely a market day in Philadelphia, from September 

 to March, but they may be found in market. They are gene- 

 rally considered, for size and delicacy, little inferior to the quail, 

 or what is here usually called the partridge, and valued accord- 

 ingly. I once met with a few of these birds in the month of 

 February, during a deep snow, among the heights of the Al- 

 leghany between Shippensburgh and Somerset, gleaning on the 

 road, in company with the small snow-birds. In the state of 

 South Carolina and Georgia, at the same season of the year, they 

 swarm among the rice plantations, running about the yards and 

 out-houses, accompanied by the Kildeers, with little appearance 

 of fear, as if quite domesticated. 



These birds, after the building season is over, collect in flocks; 

 but seldom fly in a close compact body; their flight is something 

 in the manner of the grousand partridge, laborious and steady; 

 sailing, and renewing the rapid action of the wings alternately. 

 When they alight on trees or bushes, it is generally on the tops 

 of the highest branches, whence they send forth a long, clear, 

 and somewhat melancholy note, that in sweetness and tender- 

 ness of expression is not surpassed by any of our numerous war- 

 blers. This is sometimes followed by a kind of low, rapid chat- 

 tering, the particular call of the female; and again the clear and 

 plaintive strain is repeated as before. They afford tolerable good 



