Chapter III 

 COVERED OR ARCHED NESTS ON GROUND 



Part I.— IN OPEN COUNTRY 



289. Bob-white; Quail: Colinus virginianus (Linn.) 

 Eggs white ; nest rarely and but roughly arched. 

 See Page 35, Chapter I. 



501. Meadowlark : Sturnella magna (Linn.) 



Adult — Summer plumage : Back and head warm lightish brown, 

 marked with black and brown; yellow line from the bill 

 over the eye, dark brown line from eye to back of neck; 

 throat and breast bright yellow, with black crescent on 

 breast beginning above bend of wing; tail — outside feathers 

 .white or partly white, middle feathers light brown with dark 

 transverse markings. The winter plumage is much less 

 brilliant. Length — 10.75. 



Breeding Range — ^Throughout the Eastern States. 



The nest is built on the ground in open fields, generally 

 where there is high grass or young grain. It is formed of grass 

 and is frequently arched or partly so. 



The eggs, varying from 4 to 6 in number, are white, speckled 

 chiefly at the larger end with reddish brown and lilac. Size — 

 1. 10 X .80. See Fig. 7, Plate C. 



The Meadowlark's nest is not easy to find, even where the 

 birds are plentiful, and unless the old bird is seen to rise from it, 

 and the place is then very carefully marked, many weary miles 

 may be walked through grassy fields without a nest being dis- 

 covered. Built entirely of grass, and placed in a tuft of tall grass 

 or grain, it is difficult to see even when the nest is an open one, 



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