THE MEADOW LARK 
43 
not often at any great distance, except during its 
migrations. Its nest is a loose structure composed 
of grass, fibrous roots, etc., and is placed at the base 
of a tuft of weeds or grass, in a small cavity scooped 
out of the earth • it is partially concealed from view 
by being covered with leaves and by the blades of 
growing grass drawn around it. The Meadow Lark 
justly merits a prominent place among our song birds 
for the sweetness and plaintive melody of its few sim- 
ple notes, with which, in company with the Wood 
Thrush, it is among the first to welcome the dawn. 
The male and female are quite similar in their ap- 
pearance, being mottled with brown and fawn color 
upon the head, back, and wings, while the chin and 
