126 BIRDS 



eggs with dark-brown spots are usually found in the nest in 

 June. 



The Meadowlark 



Length — 10 to 11 iaches. A trifle larger than the robin. 



Male — Upper parts brown, varied with chestnut, deep 

 brown, and black. Crown streaked with brown and black, 

 and with a cream-colored streak through the centre. 

 Dark brown line apparently running through the eye; 

 another Hne over the eye, yellow. Throat and chin 

 yellow; a large, conspicuous, black crescent on breast. 

 Underneath yellow, shading into buffy brown, spotted or 

 streaked with very dark brown. Outer tail feathers 

 chiefly white, conspicuous in flight. Long, strong legs 

 and claws, adapted for walking. Less black in winter 

 plumage, which is more grayish brown. 



Female — ^Paler than male. 



Range — ^North America, from Newfoundland to the Gulf of 

 Mexico, and westward to the Plains, where the Western 

 meadowlark takes its place. Winters from Massachu- 

 setts and Illinois southward. 



Migrations — ^April. Late October. Usually a resident, a 

 few remaining throughout the winter. 



Every farmer's boy knows his father's friend, the mea- 

 dowlark, which keeps well hidden in the grass and stubble of 

 dry fields of grass or grain where the protective mimicry 

 of its plumage effectually conceals it. When the shy bird 

 takes wing, note the white feathers on the sides of its tail 

 to be sure it is not the big, brownish flicker, which wears a 

 patch of white feathers on its lower back, conspicuous as it 



