166 



Early in February, 1884, winter quarters were moved from southern 

 Louisiana and Texas northward, but, except in the case of a few indi- 

 viduals, none reached points beyond the usual bounds of their winter 

 home. By February 26 few were left on the southern border. 



About March 8 the first general wave of migration set iu. The first 

 records, too, unlike those of most birds, came from the prairie region. 

 On March 8 they arrived at Caddo, Ind. Ter.; March 9 at Unadilla, 

 Nebr.; and March 10 at Des Moines, Iowa. These were the advance- 

 guard. The great army followed close in the rear, reaching Darling- 

 ton, Ind. Ter., March 10, and Linwood, Nebr., about the same time. 



At Saint Louis the first silent arrival on the lowlands was noted 

 March 11. The bulk followed March 17 in flocks of twenty to twenty- 

 five, noisy. By this date the advance had spread throughout Illinois 

 and the greater part of Iowa. From March 8 to the close of the month 

 there was but one day on which the first appearance of the Meadow- 

 lark was not reported at some station. There seems to have been no 

 general interruption in the northward movement. On March 28 the 

 first arrival was noted at Green Bay, Wis., Lanesboro, Minn., and Bed 

 Wing, Minn. On the same day the bulk reached Barton, Dak., and 

 was reported at Fridley, Minn. March 27 the first reached Larimore, 

 Dak., and Elk Biver, Minn. 



As the eastern Meadowlark is known to breed abundantly north 

 of the United States, it is probable that mauy of those which arrive at 

 the different stations in Minnesota and Dakota are but transient vis- 

 itors. Little has been noted on this point, or as to the time of nesting 

 at the different stations. At Saint Louis they were noisy and excited 

 April 14. At Manhattan, Kans., nesting began early in May. The only 

 record from Manitoba came from Two Bivers, where the first was noted 

 April 18. From the date at hand it seems that during migration this 

 species lingers longest in the northern part of the United States. It 

 seems to move quite rapidly over the greater part of the way, and to 

 take the last portion leisurely. 



In the fall of 1884 the bulk left Elk Biver, Minn., September 29, and 

 the last was seen there October 15. At Des Moines, Iowa, the bulk left 

 October 20, and the last was seen November 9; at Shawneetown, 111., 

 they were seen iu numbers all winter. The first came to San Angelo, 

 Tex., October 5, and to Mason, Tex., October 11. 



The notes on the migration of the eastern Meadowlark in the spring 

 of 1885 indicate that the species does not migrate by rushes, but travels 

 a few miles almost every night from the time of starting until the jour- 

 ney's end is reached. This starting took place March 3 at Saint Louis, 

 Mo., and Paris, 111. March 10 brought them to Mount Oarmel, Mo., Fay- 

 etteville, Mo., and Glasgow, Mo., while a couple of scouts had previously 

 visited Grinnell and Newton, Iowa. March 13 and March 14 a regular ad- 

 vance was made to Ferry, Iowa; Bichmond, Iowa; Tampico, 111. (both 

 observers), and Hennepin, 111. Nearer the Mississippi Biver they 



