MEADOWLARK 



A HERALD OF SPRING 



{Fig. 23) 



HE Meadowlarks that remain with 

 us during the winter live in flocks 

 in the marshes or lowlands where 

 the tides, or a flowing spring, pre- 

 vent the earth from freezing. In 

 such places they can probe the 

 ground with their long, strong bills for grubs and 

 worms. The first Meadowlark I can remember see- 

 ing was feeding on a patch of vivid green grass 

 which bordered a snow-surrounded spring oozing 

 from a hillside. It was a bit of spring set in the 

 very heart of winter and the bird's rich yellow 

 breast gleamed like a flower against the green back- 

 ground. 



Evidently I saw this bird before he saw me, for 

 the Meadowlark seems careful not to show his 

 brightly colored vest and black cravat, but turns 

 his neutral-toned back toward the observer. 



Traveling on horseback through a part of Cuba 

 n6 



