In this our grave forefathers did more than justice to the home-bird they missed on Plymouth Rock.

In this generous treatment of their affection for it, they perhaps condoned for mating the English lark so incongruously; but it was true their choice was very limited.

To match the prima donna carissima of English field and sky, it was necessary to select a meadow bird, with some other features of resemblance.

It would never do to give the cherished name and association to one that lived in the forest, or built its nest in the tree-tops or house-tops, or to one that was black, yellow, or red.

Having to conciliate all these conditions, and do the best with the material at hand, they pitched upon a rather large, brownish bird, in a drab waistcoat, slightly mottled, and with a loud, cracked voice, which nobody ever liked.