Song Birds and Water Fowl 



very rapid and intermittent fluttering of the 

 wings. In most species the line of flight is 

 more or less irregular and curvilinear; but 

 meadow larks adopt a very evident "bee- 

 line." Their rapid motion of wings is also 

 quite unusual ; for, in general, the larger 

 the bird the slower the wing-beat; but, in 

 this case, it is as rapid as in the warbler 

 or sparrow. The sandpiper's flight reminds 

 one very much of the meadow lark's; but, 

 among land-birds, the latter's motion is quite 

 unique. 



It is much to be hoped that the efforts made, 

 in different parts of the country, to introduce 

 its congener, the European starling, may prove 

 successful, as it would be one of the greatest 

 acquisitions in woodland vocahsm that we 

 could possibly have. A society of Germans 

 living near Portland, Ore., have recently, at 

 an expense of over sixteen hundred dollars, 

 imported a large number of birds, representing 

 the most important European species ; and all, 

 with one or two exceptions, seem to have be- 

 come acclimated to that region. A small flock 

 of starlings made their winter quarters last 

 year in Central Park, New York, and probably 

 summer in the vicinity. The performances of 

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