Bird Study 



8i 



meadow-larks of New York have a different song from those of Vermont 

 or Nantucket, although the music has always the same general character- 

 istics. The western species has a longer and more complex song than 

 ours of the East. It is one of the few California birds that is a genuine 

 joy to the eastern visitor; during February and March its heavenly 

 music isas pervasive as the California sunshine. 



The meadow-lark. 

 Drawing by L. A. Fuertes. 



The nest is built in a depression in the ground near a tuft of grass; it is 

 constructed of coarse grass and sticks and is lined with finer grass; there 

 is usually a dome of grass blades woven above the nest; and often a long, 

 covered vestibule leading to the nest is made in a similar fashion. This is 

 evidently for protection from the keen eyes of hawks and crows. The 

 eggs are laid about the last of May and are usually from five to seven in 

 number; they are white, speckled with brown and purple. The young 

 larks are usually large enough to be out of the way before haying time in 



July. 



