“Please, what is a pot-hunter?” asked Dodo.

“A pot-hunter is one who kills birds and other game at any time, regardless of the law, merely for the sake of money-making.”

“Is there a law about killing birds?” asked Nat.

“Certainly.  All really civilized States have their game-laws, and I hope the time is near when all our States will unite in this matter.  Where there is a good law no wild bird or beast, even those which are suitable and intended for food, may be killed in its nesting or breeding season, or for some time afterward.  Also, these creatures must only be killed by fair hunting, not with snares or traps or by any foul means; and even fishes are thus protected against wanton or excessive destruction.”

“But if there is a law is some places and not in others, why don’t the birds that travel get shot when they go about?” asked Rap.

“They do, my boy, and that is the pity of it.  Some people seem to think there are so many birds in this great country that they cannot be killed out; and others are brutal, or do not think at all, but kill for the sake of killing.  The worst of it is that little or no protection is given the poor birds in the warm countries where they spend the winter.  Thrushes are shot for pot-pie, all the gayly colored birds are killed for their feathers, and flocks of doves are slain to see how many a man can hit in a day!

“Olaf says the Meadowlarks are raising their second brood now and he can find you some empty nests, if you go with him, so you can see how they are made; he will show you the Redwings’ nests, too.  You boys may take off your shoes and stockings; and Miss Dodo, being a girl, shall ride on Olaf’s shoulder.”  “Please, can’t I have my shoes off too?” begged Dodo.  “I love to wade like the boys!”

“By and by, on the beach; but what if a frog or an eel should touch your foot, or a sharp straw stick in it—­are you enough of a boy not to scream?”

Dodo was not sure, and thought she would begin by riding.

The Meadowlark

Length ten to eleven inches.

Upper parts marked with brown, bay, gray, and black; head striped, with a yellow spot in front of the eye; wing-feathers nearest the body, and most of the tail-feathers, scalloped with black and gray, but the outside tail-feathers white.

Under parts nearly all yellow, with a black crescent on the breast, but further back flaxen-brown, with dark stripes.

Bill stout where it runs up on the forehead, but tapering to the point.

A Citizen of the United States and Canada.

A good and useful neighbor.  A famous member of the guild of Ground Gleaners, its chief work being to kill bad insects which eat the grass-roots in pastures and hay-fields.

A beautiful bird and charming songster.

CHAPTER XVIII