138 NEW- YORK FAUNA BIRDS. 



GENUS STURNELLA. Vieillot. 



Bill lengthened, almost straight, depressed towards the tip ; edges sharp, the upper overlap- 

 ping. Upper mandible somewhat rounded above ; frontal sinus deep, rounded. Nostrils 

 oval, half closed by a corneous membrane above. Tarsus and middle toe subequal ; late- 

 ral toes nearly equal ; hind nail longest and largest. Upper eyelid margined with strong 

 bristles. Wings broad, moderate : second and third quills longest, first and fifth subequal ; 

 two of the inner secondaries nearly as long when the wing is closed. Tail of twelve acute 

 feathers. Tongue narrow, sharp and bifid at the tip. 



THE MEADOW LARK. 



Sturnella ludoviciana. 



plate xix. fig. 42. 



(STATE COLLECTION.) 



Sturnus ludovicianus, Lin. Crescent Stare, Pennant, Arct. Zool. Vol. 2, p. 230. 



Alauda magna. Bartram, p. 290 (Ms). 



Meadow Lark. Wilson, Am. Om. Vol. 3, p. 20, pi. 10, fig. 2 (male). 



Sturnella ludoviciana. Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. Vol. 2, p. 50. Nuttall, Man. Orn. Vol. 1, p. 147. Audubon, 



Birds of Am. Vol. 4, p. 70, pi. 223. 

 Tlie Crescent Meadow Starling. Giraud, Birds of Long island, p. 147. 



Characteristics. Beneath, and line over the eye, yellow : a black crescent over the breast. 

 Four lateral tail-feathers white. Length, 11 inches. 



Description. Body above brown varied with chesnut, deep brown and black. Summit 

 of the head dark brown, with a cream-colored stripe : a yellow stripe over the eye, passing 

 into cream-color behind. Sides of the head and neck greyish white. Flanks, thighs and vent 

 pale rufous brown, spotted with black. Neck and breast of a bright yellow, with a large 

 crescent of black. Upper mandible brown ; the lower bluish white. Tail wedge-shaped ; 

 the feathers pointed ; the four outer ones nearly all white ; the others brown, with interrupted 

 bars of white. Legs and feet pale flesh-color. 



Length, 10-5 -11 5. Alar spread, 15-0- 16'0. 



The common Meadow Lark is well known, and is found in all parts of the State. I have 

 seen them in the Atlantic district of the State during every season of the year. It breeds 

 here, laying 4-5 white eggs with numerous reddish brown spots at the larger end. I have 

 never seen the nest, but Audubon describes it as resembling an oven. In Virginia it is called 

 the Oldfield Lark. Although frequently shot by young sportsmen, its flesh is rank and ill- 

 flavored. In this State it does no injury, living on seeds and various insects : indeed it merits 

 the protection of the law, although farther south it is charged with pulling up the seeds of 

 wheat, rye and rice. It ranges from Mexico to the 56th degree of north latitude. 



