64 THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK 



Meadowlark (continued) 



It is wholly beneficial and destroys a great number of noxious 

 insects. It deserves protection throughout the whole country. 



c? 10.5-11; ? 9-10.5 



Call no. 

 Nu Mf Adult on Log in Grass with Food in Beak, Back View. 

 Geneseo. (1912) Bailey 



This bird spends much time on the ground. Note the white 

 outer tail feathers, called "flash colors." 



Nu Mf2 Nest with Four Eggs Partially Concealed in the Grass. 

 Arcade. (May 19, 1904) R. H. Beebe 



The nest is usually placed at the end of a burrow in the grass 

 and is arched over so as to be concealed from above. 



Nu Mfl Adult at Nest with White Grubs and Black Crickets for 

 Young Allen 



The roof which covers the nest while the bird is incubating 

 wears out as the adult goes in and out to feed the young. 



Nu MfS Young Bird Hiding in Grass. Geneseo. (1911) Bailey 



Young birds develop the fear instinct as soon as they are large 

 enough to hide or to defend themselves. 



Nu Mf6 Adult Cleaning the Nest. (June 9; 1915) Allen 



After each feeding the nest of this bird was cleaned and the 

 excrement carried away to prevent fouling the nest. Note how 

 the base of the bill extends back onto the, forehead. 



Nu MfS Adult on Log in Grass, Singing, Front View. Geneseo. 

 (1912) Bailey 



Note the bright yellow of the throat and belly and the black 

 crescent on the breast. One does not often see these, for the 

 bird commonly keeps his back to the observer. 



Merganser (Mergus americanus) 



Shelldrake is another common^ name for this duck. It some- 

 times still breeds in New York, though its common breeding 

 place is farther north. ^ 24-27 ; $ 1 to 4 inches shorter 



