Page:Birdcraft-1897.djvu/267

  Meadowlark: Sturnella magma.


 * Length:
 * 10.76 inches.


 * Male and Female:
 * Much variegated above, general colour brown. Bill stout and straight. Crown with brown and black streaks, black line behind eye. Tail black with white outer quills; wings edged with yellow. Under parts yellow, black crescent on throat. Strong legs, a walker. Female paler.


 * Song:
 * Clear and piercing,—“Spring o‘ the Y-e-a-r!”


 * Season:
 * A resident, the migrants remaining from April until late October.


 * Breeds:
 * Abundantly throughout its range.


 * Nest:
 * Of dried grass; placed on the ground; usually concealed by a tuft of grass, which makes a partial roof.


 * Eggs:
 * 4-6, brilliant white, speckled with purple and reddish brown.


 * Range:
 * Eastern United States and southern Canada, to the Plains.

This abundant bird, common in the migrations, and present with us all winter in considerable numbers, is not a Lark at all; it has superb plumage, and its song, though consisting of but a few syllables, is sweet and thrilling. Almost before a tinge of green has come upon the meadows, these birds are searching for worms and larvae, which form a large part of their diet, and it is at this time that they show their yellow breasts, with the striking black crescent, to the best advantage. While they are feeding, they constantly give their calling song, varying the intonation and accent in a way which is very expressive— “Spring o’ the Y-e-a-r, Spring o’ the Year!” It has a breezy sound, as fresh and wild as if the wind were blowing through a ﬂute. They sing from March until July, and then again after the moulting, though at this time they never equal their spring song, and I have heard a few notes in January, when they were lingering about the stubble fields. In winter they often come about the barns for food, and will stand quite still, and watch me while I scatter seeds to them and other such way-farers.

The Meadowlark is one of the most constant of the winter colony, associating with the Horned Lark on the shore 170