218 MEADOW LARK. 



note, and keeping up the pursuit for a distance of several hundred yards, 

 when it suddenly abandons it. Both birds then rejoin the flock, and the 

 party continue their journey in amity. When flocks thus travelling spy 

 a favourable feeding place, they gradually descend and alight on some 

 detached tree, when, as if by one accord, each individual jerks out its 

 tail, springs on its legs, and utters a loud soft call-note. They then fly 

 successively to the ground, and immediately proceed in search of food. 

 An old male now and then erects itself, glances its eye around with anx- 

 ious scrutiny, and should danger be perceived, does not fail to inform his 

 party by emitting a loud rolling note, on hearing which the rest of the 

 flock become alert, and hold themselves in readiness to depart. 



In this manner the Meadow Larks proceed in autumn from the north- 

 ern parts of Maine to the State of Louisiana, the Floridas, or Carolinas, 

 where they abound during the winter. At this season the pine barrens of 

 the Floridas are filled with them, and after the land has been fired by the 

 native herdsmen, these birds become as sooty as the sparrows residing in 

 London. Some were so infested with ticks as to have lost almost all the 

 feathers off their body, and in general they appeared much smaller than 

 those of the Atlantic States, probably on account of the deficiency of their 

 plumage. In the prairies of the Opellousas and those bordering on the 

 Arkansas River, they are still more abundant. Many of these, however, 

 retire into the Mexican country at the approach of very severe weather. 

 They now sleep on the ground among the tall grass, but at a distance of 

 many yards from each other, in the manner of the Carolina Dove. 



At the approach of spring, the flocks break up, the females first sepa- 

 rating. The males then commence their migration, flying in small flocks, 

 or even sometimes singly. At this season the beauty of their plumage is 

 much improved, their movements have acquired more grace, their manner 

 of flight and all their motions when on the ground evidently shewing how 

 strongly they feel the passion that glows in their bosom. The male is 

 seen to walk with stately measured steps, jerking out his tail, or spread- 

 ing it to its fuU extent, and then closing it, like a fan in the hands of 

 some fair damsel. Its lovid notes are more melodious than ever, and are 

 now frequently heard, the bird sitting the while on the branch of a tree, 

 or the top of some tall weed of the meadows. 



Woe to the rival who dares to make his appearance ! Nay, should 

 any male come in sight, he is at once attacked, and, if conquered, chased 

 beyond the limits of the territory claimed by the first possessor. Several 



