rCTERID.K -THE ORIOLES. 



175 



Saskatcliowaii, wliero it arrives about tliu lirst of May. In a lavgu ixn'lion 

 ot tile I'liited Staie.s it is resilient, or only i)artially migratory. 



In Maine this .species is not abundant. A few are found in Southern 

 Manie, even as far to the east as (,'alais, where it is very rare. It was not 

 iouiid in ().\ford County by Mr. Verrill. In Xew Hampshire and Vermont, 

 especially in the southern portions, it is much more almndant. Throughout 

 Ma.s.sachu.setis it is a connnon sununer visitant, a few remaining all winter, 

 the greater number coming in March and leaving again in November, at 

 which time they .seem to be .somewhat, though only jiartially, gregarious. 

 South ol ^lassucluLsetts it becomes more generally resident, and is only verv 

 liai'tially migratory, where the depth of snow compels them to seek food 

 elsewhere. Wilson .'itates that he iMct a few of these birds in the month 

 of lei)ruary, duiing a deep snow, among the heights of the Alleghanies, 

 near Somer.set, I'enn. 



The favorite resorts of this species are old fields, j)a.sture-lands, and mead- 

 ows, localities in which they can best procure the insects, largely coleopter- 

 ous, and the seeds on which they feed. They are not found in woods or 

 thickets, or only in very exee])tional cases. 



In Xew England they are shy, retiring birds, and are rarely seen in the 

 neighborhood of houses ; but in (Jeorgia and South Carolina, Wilson found 

 them swarming among the rice ))lantations, and running about in the yards 

 and tiie out-buildings, in comjiany with the Killdeer Plovers, with little 

 or no n])]>earance of fear, and as if domesticated. 



In Alabama and West Florida, Mr. Nuttall states, the liirds abound dur- 

 ing the winter months, and may be seen in considerable numbers in the salt 

 marshes, seeking their food and the shelter of the sea-(!oast. They are tlien 

 in loose Hocks of from ten to thirty. At this season many are shot and 

 brought to market. By some their flesh is said to be sweet and good ; but 

 this is denied by Audubon, who states it to be tough and of iini)leasant flavor. 

 Mr. Sdater records the occurrence of one or more individuals of this 

 sj)ecies in England. 



The song of the eastern Mesulow Lark is chietly distinguished for its 

 sweetness more than any other excellence. AVheii, in spring, at the height 

 of their love-sea,son, they alight on the ])ost of a lence, a ])usli, or tree, or 

 any other high object, they will give utterance to notes that, in sweetness 

 and tenderness of expression, are surpassed by very few of our birds. I>ut 

 they are wanting in variety and power, and arc rre(|uently varied, but not 

 improved, by the substitution of chatterin}' call-notes, which are much infe- 

 rior in quality. It is noticeable tiiat at the West there is a very great im- 

 provement in the .song of this bird as compared with that of their more 

 eastern kindred, though still very tar from equalling, either in volume, 

 variety, or power, the lemarkable song of the iwilictn. 



In the fall of the year these birds collect in small comp.'^ nes, and feed 

 together in the same localities, but keeping, iiulividually, somewhat apart. 



