BIRDS OF INDIANA. 



897 



first laying, at Brookville, May 28, 1892. Mr. E. K. Quick took a set 

 of fresh eggs near the same place, July 15, 1879. This was a second 

 laying in a nest in which young had been hatched a few weeks before. 

 The nest was relined before the second laying. Mr. J. 0. Snyder took 

 a set of eggs, possibly also a second set, at Waterloo, July 17, 1885. 

 An egg is deposited daily, and incubation takes about fifteen days. 

 Both sexes assist in the latter. 





Meadow Lark. 

 (Beal. Year Book, United States Department of Agriculture, 1895, p. 421.) 



The song is variously interpreted. Mr. Kidgway says country people 

 sometimes interpret it as "Laziness will kill you," or "Peek-you-can't- 

 see'-me;" the accent on the next to the last syllable. Mr. Nehrling 

 says it sounds like "He-ah-he-here," or "et-see-dee-ah." After the 

 harvest is over and the young are able to care for themselves, most 

 of the Meadow Larks seek choice spots, and but seldom are their songs 

 heard. However, when the fall rains come, and start the grass, they 

 regain their voices. I found them in restless flocks during the dry 

 weather, September 30, 1897, and in full song. At times they 

 sing quite late. November 11, 1886, a sunny, pleasant day, I found 

 them abundant and in full song at Lawrenceburg Junction. 



The Meadow Lark is one of our most beneficial birds; and, as^it 

 should be, has a good reputation. Every one speaks well of it. In 

 238 stomachs examined by the Department of Agriculture, animal 

 food, practically all insects, constituted 73 per cent, of the contents; 

 and vegetable matter, 27 per cent. 



57 GEOL. 



