MEADOW LAKK. 



STTJRNELLA MAGNA. 



LIKE the partridge, the meadow lark has favorite 

 places of resort, where he stands and sings or 

 keeps silent, as the mood takes him. His flight also 

 resembles that of the partridge and of the quail. Prob- 

 ably our largest singing-bird, his voice is neither loud 

 nor deep, some of the tones being rather sharp and 

 weak. He lacks the vocal power of the robin, and of 

 the oriole, a bird of not more than half his size; 

 still his music is very charming. Wilson, comparing 

 him with the skylark, says, "In richness of plumage, 

 as well as sweetness of voice (as far as his few notes 

 extend), he stands eminently his superior." 



The meadow lark's song is essentially tender and plain- 

 tive. In the early dewy morning and toward evening, 

 he will stand a long time upon a stump, a large rock, or 

 rock-heap, singing at intervals little snatches of melody ; 

 occasionally, like the oriole and the king-fisher, giving 

 his " low, rapid, chattering " monotones. It is a favorite 

 pastime with him to repeat four tones many times in 

 succession, with rests intervening: 



