Page:Bird-lore Vol 03.djvu/69

SHORK-I.ARK ABOIT lO FEED ^OL'NG. PhotoKraphfd from nature by F. A. 'an Sant Early Larks BY F. A. VAN SANT. Jay. N Y. DURING March, 1900, there was a heavy fall of snow in the north- ern part of the Adi'rondacks, and by the middle of April the ground was still covered with a feathery blanket, except on the slopes of the sand-hills facing the south, where the snows had slipped and wasted. Part way down one of these hills, on a patch of sand and dried grass surrounded by snow, I found, on the I2th of April, the nest of a Prairie Horned Lark. It was about two inches deep, was lined with dead grasses and contained four delicatel- speckled eggs. Three days later something interesting transpired in that little brown nest. As though to commemo- rate the amazing mysteries of the first great Easter morning, the little prisoners of the shell, on Sunday, April iS- burst from their confinement. Only a short time elapsed ere their little notes of hope and ecstasy were added to the grand chorus of nature's hallelujahs. The parent birds twittered the anthems of this festive day as the diligently searched for food with which to feed their tiny nestlings. The next day was cloudy and Tuesday was cold, with snow s(iualls all day, but Wednesday came clear and bright, ami I spent the day in watch- ing the birds and taking their pictures. 1 used a Pony Premo Sr. camera. 6/'2x8/2, with rapid rectilinear lens and a 4 x S Hammer plate in a kit. I set the camera quite early in the morning, so that the birds would be- come accustomed to it. After the sun was high enough to make a snap shot possible, I tied a long black thread to the shutter release and, keep- ing my opera glasses ready for instant use, sat dow^n to await results. (54)