72 THE MEADOW LARK. 



it. Both birds then rejoin the flock, and the party continue their journey in 

 amity. When flocks thus travelling spy a favourable feeding place, they 

 gradually descend and alight on some detached tree, when, as if by one 

 accord, each individual jerks out its tail, springs on its legs, and utters aloud 

 soft call-note. They then fly successively to the ground, and immediately 

 proceed in search of food. An old male now and then erects itself, glances its 

 eye around with anxious scrutiny, and should danger be perceived, does not 

 fail to inform his party by emitting a loud rolling note, on hearing which 

 the rest of the flock become alert, and hold themselves in readiness to depart. 



In this manner the Meadow Larks proceed in autumn from the northern 

 parts of Maine to the State of Louisiana, the Floridas, or Carolinas, where 

 they abound during the winter. At this season the pine barrens of the 

 Floridas are filled with them, and after the land has been fired by the native 

 herdsmen, these birds become as sooty as the Sparrows residing in London. 

 Some were so infested with ticks as to have lost almost all the feathers off 

 their body, and in general they appeared much smaller than those of the 

 Atlantic States, probably on account of the deficiency of their plumage. In 

 the prairies of the Opellousas and those bordering on the Arkansas river, 

 they are still more abundant. Many of these, however, retire into Texas 

 and Mexico at the approach of very severe weather. They now sleep on 

 the ground among the tall grass, but at a distance of many yards from each 

 other, in the manner of the Carolina Dove. 



At the approach of spring, the flocks break up, the females first separating. 

 The males then commence their migration, flying in small flocks, or even 

 sometimes singly. At this season the beauty of their plumage is much 

 improved, their movements have acquired more grace, their manner of flight 

 and all their motions when on the ground evidently shewing how strongly 

 they feel the passion that glows in their bosom. The male is seen to walk 

 with stately measured steps, jerking out his tail, or spreading it to its full 

 extent, and then closing it, like a fan in the hands of some fair damsel. Its 

 loud notes are more melodious than ever, and are now frequently heard, the 

 bird sitting the while on the branch of a tree, or the top of some tall weed of 

 the meadows. 



Woe to the rival who dares to make his appearance! Nay, should any 

 male come in sight, he is at once attacked, and, if conquered, chased beyond 

 the limits of the territory claimed by the first possessor. Several males may 

 sometimes be seen engaged in fierce conflict, although these frays seldom last 

 more than a few moments. The sight of a single female at once changes 

 their occupation, and after her they all fly off as if mad. The female exhibits 

 the usual timidity of her sex, that timidity without which, even in Meadow 

 Larks, she would probably fail in finding a mate. As he flies towards her, 



