THE MEADOW LAEK. 
71 
overflowing with love towards her who had led him thus far, he rises from 
his grassy couch, and on gently whirring pinions launches into the air, in 
the glad hope of finding the notes of his beloved fall on his ear. The male 
is still on the wing ; his notes sound loud and clear as he impatiently sur- 
veys the grassy plain beneath him. His beloved is not there. His heart 
almost fails him, and disappointed he rises towards the black walnut-tree, 
under which, during many a summer’s heat, the mowers have enjoyed both 
their repast and their mid-day rest. I now see him, not desponding as you 
might suppose, but vexed and irritated. See how he spreads his tail, how 
often he raises his body, how he ejaculates his surprise, and loudly calls for 
her whom of all things he best loves. — Ah ! — there comes the dear creature; 
her timorous, tender notes announce her arrival. Her mate, her beloved, 
has felt the charm of her voice. His wings are spread, and buoyant with 
gladness, he flies to meet, to welcome her, anticipating all the bliss prepared 
for him. Would that I could interpret to you, reader, as I feel them, the 
many assurances of friendship, fidelity and love that at this precious moment 
pass from one to tlie.other, as they place their bills together and chatter 
mutual loves ! — the gentle eludings of the male for the sorrow her delay 
has caused him, and the sweet words she uses to calm his ardour. Alas ! it 
were vain to attempt it. I have listened to the talk, it is true ; I have 
witnessed all their happiness ; but I cannot describe it to you. You, 
reader, must watch them, as I have done, if you wish to understand their 
language. If not, I must try to give you a taste of what I would willingly 
impart, were I competent to the task, and proceed to relate what I 
have observed of their habits. 
When the Meadow Lark first rises from the ground, which it does with a 
smart spring, it flutters like a young bird, then proceeds checking its speed 
and resuming it in a desultory and uncertain manner, flying in general 
straight forward, and glancing behind as if to ascertain the amount of its 
danger, but yet affording an easy aim to the most inexperienced marksman. 
When pursued for awhile, it moves more swiftly, sailing and beating its 
wings alternately, until it gets out of reach. It will not stand before the 
pointer longer than a moment, and that only when surprised among rank 
weeds or grasses. During its migrations, which are usually performed by 
day, it rises above the tallest forest trees, passing along in loose bodies, and 
not unfrequently in flocks of from fifty to a hundred individuals. At such 
times its motions are continued, and it merely sails at intervals, to enable it 
to breathe and renew its exertions. Now and then, one may be seen making 
directly towards another, chasing it downwards or horizontally away from 
the group, uttering all the time a sharp querulous note, and keeping up the 
pursuit for a distance of several hundred yards, when it suddenly abandons 
