Here the mother tends the eggs and nestlings, the father always keeping near to help her, and continually singing at his daily toil of providing for his family as charmingly as if he were still a gay bachelor; for Meadowlarks are very affectionate both toward each other and their young.

It is really distressing to hear the sadness of the song of one who has lost his mate.

He seems to be crying, 'Where are you, dear ?' and beseeching her to come.
"Though we frequently hear their song in the marsh meadows in autumn, they are shyer then, and keep in flocks.

At that season they grow fat, and gunners continually worry them; but I do not think that sportsmen often shoot these song birds.

They are chiefly the victims of thoughtless boys or greedy pot-hunters.