k trying to alight on the top
mast of a schooner several miles at sea. It was evidently very tired but
would not venture near the deck.

[Illustration: MEADOW LARK.]

THE MEADOW LARK.

I told the man who wanted my picture that he could take it if he would
show my nest and eggs. Do you blame me for saying so? Don't you think it
makes a better picture than if I stood alone?

Mr. Lark is away getting me some breakfast, or he could be in the
picture, too. After a few days I shall have some little baby birds, and
then won't we be happy.

Boys and girls who live in the country know us pretty well. When they
drive the cows out to pasture, or when they go out to gather wild
flowers, we sit on the fences by the roadside and make them glad with
our merry song.

Those of you who live in the city cannot see us unless you come out into
the country.

It isn't very often that we can find such a pretty place for a nest as
we have here. Most of the time we build our nest under the grass and
cover it over, and build a little tunnel leading to it. This year we
made up our minds not to be afraid.

The people living in the houses over there do not bother us at all and
we are so happy.

You never saw baby larks, did you? Well, they are queer little fellows,
with hardly any feathers on them.

Last summer we had five little birdies to feed, and it kept us busy from
morning till night. This year we only expect three, and Mr. Lark says he
will do all the work. He knows a field that is being plowed, where he
can get nice, large worms.

Hark! that is he singing. He will be surprised when he comes back and
finds me off the nest. He is so afraid that I will let the eggs get
cold, but I won't. There he comes, now.

THE LONG-EARED OWL.

The name of the Long-Eared Owl is derived from the great length of his
"ears" or feather-tufts, which are placed upon the head, and erect
themselves whenever the bird is interested or excited. It is the "black
sheep" of the owl family, the majority of owls being genuine friends of
the agriculturist, catching for his larder so many of the small animals
that prey upon his crops. In America he is called the Great Horned
Owl--in Europe the Golden Owl.

Nesting time with the owl begins in February, and continues through
March and April. The clown-like antics of both sexes of this bird while
under the tender influence of the nesting season tend somewhat to impair
their reputation for digni