MEADOW LARK. 
STURNELLA MAGNA. 
IKE the partridge, the meadow lark has favorite 
places of resort, where he stands and sings or 
keeps silent, as the mood takes him. His flight also 
resembles that of the partridge and of the quail. Prob- 
ably our largest singing-bird, his voice is neither loud 
nor deep, some of the tones being rather sharp and 
weak. He lacks the vocal power of the robin, and of 
the oriole, a bird of not more than half his size; 
still his music is very charming. Wilson, comparing 
him with the skylark, says, “In richness of plumage, 
as well as sweetness of voice (as far as his few notes 
extend), he stands eminently his superior.” ; 
The meadow lark’s song is essentially tender and plain- 
tive. In the early dewy morning and toward evening, 
he will stand a long time upon a stump, a large rock, or 
rock-heap, singing at intervals little snatches of melody ; 
occasionally, like the oriole and the king-fisher, giving 
his “ low, rapid, chattering” monotones. It is a favorite 
pastime with him to repeat four tones many times in 
succession, with rests intervening : — 
