268 
Nesting. Nest of grasses on the ground in the grass, usually arched over like an oven. 
Distribution. Western North America. In Canada, the southern prairies and south- 
ern British Columbia. 
Though beautiful as a bit of colour, the Western Meadowlark derives 
most of its well-earned fame from its voice, which rings rich, full, and true 
over the open fields and prairies. To the easterner hearing the Western 
Meadowlark for the first time, no matter how well prepared for it he may 
be, there comes a distinctly pleasant surprise. The bird itself is an exact 
replica of his old familiar friend of the eastern provinces in appearance and 
habit, but the voice bears no resemblance, except in occasional common- 
place notes. It is not a glorified Eastern Meadowlark song, but one 
entirely different, and at first sound he can scarcely connect it with the 
familiar-looking bird on the nearby fence-post. To attempt to describe 
the song to those who know it would only be an interesting experiment 
at word painting. No words, syllables, or musical notes can assist the 
imagination of those who have not heard it. Its only quality that can be 
well expressed is its ventriloquistic effect. It sounds in the ear loud and 
close and one glances up at the near fence-line for it, only to finally discover 
it across the intervening field some hundred yards away. 
After the long winter, when the Chinook winds have melted away 
the dreary white expanse of snow surrounding the prairie ranch house, the 
clear notes of the Meadowlark proclaim the first advent of spring. No 
bird is as well known or as much beloved by the western plainsman as is 
the Meadowlark. 
Economic Status. The Meadowlark is one of the farmer’s most 
valuable assistants. Living close to the ground it attacks most of the 
worst crop foes. Its food is made up of 75 per cent insects, 12 per cent 
weed seeds, and 13 per cent grain, the latter being nearly all taken in the 
late autumn and early sprng months and obviously owing to the scarcity 
of insects. It is, therefore, as useful as it is pleasing to the eye and ear. 
506. Orchard Oriole. Icterus spurius. L, 7-32. A Binall Oriole, like the 
Baltimore ( See Plate XLVIII B) with the orange of that bird replaced by seal-brown and 
with a black tail. The female is an even, dull green. The young male is like the female, 
but has a black throat. 
Distinctions. The seal-brown and black coloration of the male is unmistakable. The 
female has a certain resemblance to the female Tanager, but is smaller and of more delicate 
shape and has a fine-pointed, unnotched bill (Compare Figures 257 and 273, pages 269 
and 301). 
Field Marks. Colour, size, and voice somewhat like that of the Baltimore Oriole, but 
richer and with characteristics of its own. 
Nesting. Nest woven of green glass hanging from a crotch. A beautiful structure, 
not as elaborate nor as deeply bagged as that of the Baltimore. 
Distribution. Eastern North America, more southern than the Baltimore. It was 
taken at Pembina, in North Dakota, just across the Manitoba boundary, in 1879, and may 
be looked for as a straggler in the southern parts of that province. 
507. Baltimore Oriole, hang-nest, golden robin. Icterus galbula. L, 8*00. 
Plate XLVIII B. Between a Robin and Sparrow in size. Male: a rich golden orange 
with black head, back, wings, and most of tail. Female: dull orange below and smooth 
shades of brown and dull olive above. 
Distinctions. Likely to be confused only with its nearby relative, Bullock’s Oriole, 
with which it may be associated in southern Alberta and adjacent parts of Saskatchewan. 
The adult male is easily distinguished from that species in having an all-black head and 
little or no white on the wings. The female is too like the female of Bullock’s to be readily 
separated from it, but, in general, is richer in coloration, usually more orange below, and 
with many dark centres to feathers of back, especially on crown. Juvenile males are much 
like females and various intermediate stages up to the adult spring plumage occur. 
