512 LAND BIRDS 



low; superciliary buff ; middle of tail heavily marked with black; 



tertials, rump, and tail heavily barred; outer tail-feathers white; 



under parts bright yellow, with black crescent on breast and black 



spots on sides ; flanks and lower tail-coverts white. 

 Adult Female : Similar, but lighter colored. 

 young : Colors much duller, with less distinct markings ; crescent on 



chest faintly marked. 

 Geographical Distribution: Western United States, from Wisconsin, 



Illinois, and Texas to the Pacifio ; north to British Columbia ; south 



to Lower California and Mexico. 

 Galifomia Breeding Range : Suitable localities throughout the State. 

 Breeding Season: April. 

 Nest : On the ground, usually at the foot of a bunch of grass ; made of 



grass, loosely covered over. 

 Eggs : 3 to 7 ; white, spotted irregularly over the entire surface with 



brown and purple. Size 1.10 X 0.90. 



The Western Meadowlark differs from the Eastern 

 species chiefly in the quality of its song, in which it 

 greatly excels the latter. The wild sweet notes have 

 a carrying quality, and at the same time a liquid mellow- 

 ness that is peculiarly in harmony with the wind-swept 

 prairies of the West. It is also longer, more varied, and 

 more sustained than the song of the Eastern species. 

 Major Bendire compares it to the "matchless, clear, 

 tinkling utterances of the finest of our Western song- 

 sters, Townsend's solitaire." Its alarm notes differ some- 

 what also, being less harsh, more a remonstrance than a 

 scold. 



Of a somewhat paler plumage than the lark of the 

 East, it is closely allied in habits, living in the open 

 meadows and clearings along streams. Down among 

 the tangled grass of the lowland prairie it builds its 

 nest, — a snug little hollow in the soil, lined with dried 

 grass and often roofed with the same. Both male and 

 female assist in moulding the nest and in the cares of 



