" The cheerful little gold- 

 finches, that bend the dried 

 ragweeds." 



The meadow-larks always 

 roost upon the ground. They 

 creep well under the grass, or, if 

 the wind is high and it snows, they 

 squat close to the ground behind a 

 tuft of grass or thick bush and sleep 

 while the cold white flakes fall about ' 

 them. They are often covered before the morn- 

 ing ; and when housed thus from the wind and 

 hidden from prowling enemies, no bird could 

 wish for a cozier, warmer, safer bed. 



But what a lonely bed it is ! Nothing seems 



[7] 



