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THE MEADOW LARK OR AMERICAN STARLING. 



Sturnus Ludovicianus, Linn. 



PLATE CXXXVI. Male, Female, and Nest. 



How could I give the history of this beautiful bird, were I not to re- 

 turn for a while to the spot where I have found it most^abundant, and 

 where the most frequent opportunities occurred of observing it .? Then, 

 reader, to those rich grass fields let us stray. We are not far from the 

 sandy sea-shores of the Jerseys ; the full beauties of an early spring are 

 profusely spread around us ; the glorious sun illumines the creation with 

 a flood of golden light, as he yet lies beneath the deep ; the industrious 

 bee is yet asleep, as are the birds in bush and tree ; the small wavelets 

 break on the beach with a gentle murmur ; the sky is so beautifully blue, 

 that, on seeing it, one fancies himself near heaven ; the moon is about to 

 disappear in the distant west; the limpid dew-drops hang on every leaf, bud 

 and blossom, each tall blade of grass bending ui>der the weight." Anxious 

 to view Nature at her best, I lie waiting in pleasure for the next moment : 

 —it has come ; all is life and energy ; the bee, the bird, the quadruped, 

 all nature awakes into Ufe, and every being seems moving in the light of 

 the Divine countenance. Fervently do I praise the God who has called 

 me into existence, and devotedly do I pursue my avocations, carefully 

 treading on the tender grass, until I reach a seat by nature''s own hand 



prepared, when I pause, survey, admire, and essay to apprehend all ^yes 



all around me ! Delightful days of my youth, when full of strength, 

 health and gladness, I so often enjoyed the bhss of contemplatino- the 

 beauties of creation ! They are gone, never to return ; but memory 

 fondly cherishes the thoughts which they called into being, and while life 

 remains will their mem_ory be pleasing. 



See the Lark that arrived last evening ! fully refreshed, and with a 

 bosom overflowing with love towards her who had led him thus far he 

 rises from his grassy couch, and on gently whirring pinions launches into 

 the air, in the glad hope of finding the notes of his beloved fall on his 

 ear. Females are usually tardy at this early season. I shall not pretend 

 to tell you why, reader, but that such is the fact, I have been fully con- 

 vinced, since the very first feelings of their value was impressed on my 



