Meadowlark SONG-BIRDS. 



Meadowlark : Sturnella magna. 



PLATE VI. FIG. 9. 



Length: 10-11 inches. 



Male and Female : Much variegated above, general colour brown. Bill 

 stout and straight. Crown with brown and black streaks, black 

 line behind eye. Tail black with white outer quills ; wings edged 

 with yellow. Under parts yellow, black crescent on throat. 

 Strong legs, a walker. Female paler. 



Song : Clear and piercing, " Spring o' the Y-e-a-r ! " 



Season : A resident, the migrants remaining from April until late 

 October. 



Breeds : Abundantly throughout its range. 



Nest : Of dried grass ; placed on the ground ; usually concealed by a 

 tuft of grass, which makes a partial roof. 



Eggs : 4-6, brilliant white, speckled with purple and reddish brown. 



Range : Eastern United States and southern Canada, to the Plains. 



This abundant bird, common in the migrations, and present 

 with us all winter in considerable numbers, is not a Lark at 

 all ; it has superb plumage, and its song, though consisting 

 of but a few syllables, is sweet and thrilling. Almost 

 before a tinge of green has come upon the meadows, these 

 birds are searching for worms and larvae, which form a large 

 part of their diet, and it is at this time that they show their 

 yellow breasts, with the striking black crescent, to the best 

 advantage. While they are feeding, they constantly give 

 their calling song, varying the intonation and accent in a 

 way which is very expressive " Spring o' the Y-e-ctrr, 

 Spring o' the Year ! " It has a breezy sound, as fresh and 

 wild as if the wind were blowing through a flute. They sing 

 from March until July, and then again after the moulting, 

 though at this time they never equal their spring song, and 

 I have heard a few notes in January, when they were linger- 

 ing about the stubble fields. In winter they often come 

 about the barns for food, and will stand quite still, and 

 watch me while I scatter seeds to them and other such way- 

 farers. 



The Meadowlark is one of the most constant of the win- 

 ter colony, associating with the Horned Lark on the shore 



170 



