204 MEADOW LARK. 
as far as his few notes eee he stands eminently its superior. . He 
iffers from the greater part of his tribe in wanting the long straight 
hind claw, which is probably the reason why he has been classed, by 
some late naturalists, with the Starlings. But in the particular form 
of his bill, ii his manners, plumage, mode and place of building his 
nest, Nature has clearly pointed out his proper family. 
This species has avery extensive range, having myself found them 
in Upper Canada, and in each of the states, from New Hampshire to 
New Orleans. Mr. Bartram, also informs me, that they are equally , 
abundant in East Florida. Their favorite places of retreat are pasture 
-fields and meadows, particularly the latter, which have conferred on 
them their specific name; and no doubt supplies them abundantly 
with the particular seeds and insects on which they feed. They are. 
rarely or never seen in the depth of the woods; ‘unless where, instead 
of underwood, the ground is covered with rich grass, as in the Chac- 
taw and Chickasaw countries, where I met with them in considerable 
numbers in the months of May and June. The extensive and luxu- 
riant prairies between Vincennes and St. Louis also abound with 
them. : 
It is probable that, in the more rigorous regions of the north, they 
may be birds of passage, as they are partially so here; though I have 
seen them among the meadows of New Jersey, and those that border 
the Rivers Delaware and Schuylkill, in all seasons; even when the 
ground was deeply covered with snow. There is scarcely a market 
day in Philadelphia, from September to March, but they may be found 
exposed to sale. They are generally considered, for size and delicacy, 
little inferior to the Quail, or what, is here usually called the Partridge, 
and valued accordingly. I once met with a few of these birds in the 
month of February, during a deep snow, among the heights of the 
Alleghany, between Shippensburgh and Somerset, gleaning on the 
road, in company with the small Snow Birds. In the state-of South 
Carolina and Georgia, at the same season of the year, they swarm 
among the rice plantations, running about the yards and out-houses, 
accompanied by the Killdeers, with little appearance of fear, as if quite 
domesticated. 
These birds, after the building season is over, collect in flocks, but 
seldom fly in a close, compact body; their flight is something in the 
manner of the Grouse and Partridge, laborious and steady, sailing, 
and renewing the rapid action of the wings alternately. When they 
salight- on trees or bushes, it is generally on the tops of the highest 
branches, whence they send forth a long, clear, and: somewhat melan- 
choly note, that, in sweetness and tenderness of expression, is not 
surpassed by any of our numerous Warblers. This is sometimes fol- 
lowed by a kind of low, rapid chattering, the particular call of the 
female ; and again the clear and plaintive strain is repeated as before. 
They afford tdlerably good amusement to the sportsman, being most 
easily shot while on wing ;, as they frequently squat among the long 
grass, and spring within gunshot. The nest of this species is built 
generally in, or below, a thick tuft, or tussock, of grass; it is com- 
posed of dry grass, and fine bent, laid at the bottom, and’wound all 
around, leaving an arched entrance level with the ground ; the inside 
is lined with fine stalks of the same materials, disposed with great 
