126 Land Birds of New England 



during the winter months. I have been most fortu- 

 nate in finding him in fields which are not far re- 

 moved from streams. He spends a large part of 

 his time on the ground, where he walks instead 

 of hopping. His flight is very characteristic, con- 

 sisting of a few rapid movements and then a long 

 sail. Shelley's lines, though written of another 

 bird, fit the meadowlark to perfection : 



In the golden lightning 



Of the sunken sun, 

 O'er which clouds are brightening 



Thou dost FLOAT AND RUN. 



The nest is usually built on the ground in a 

 meadow, on or near a tussock of grass. Eggs are 

 laid about the last of May. 



The song consists of a long, clear, and somewhat 

 plaintive whistle, "a flute-note sweet and high," 

 and the bird is one of our noticeable singers. He 

 sings from the ground, from a tree-top, or when on 

 the wing. In the vicinity of New York he may be 

 first heard anywhere from early February until early 

 April, and he continues sometimes until the third 

 week of August. After a long silence, song is re- 

 sumed in October and early November. 



