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MEADOW LARK. 
This species has a very 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 
favourite 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 Chactaw and Chickasaw countries, where I 
met with them in considerable numbers in the months of May 
and June. The extensive and luxuriant 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 in- 
ferior 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, accom- 
panied 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 
