AMERICAN STARLING, or MEADOW LARK. 



{Stumus ludovicianus, L. Mauda magna, Wilson, 3. p. 20. pi. 19. 

 fig. 2. Philad. Museum, No. 5212.) 



Sp. Charact. — Beneath and line over the eye bright yellow; a 

 black crescent on the breast; and with the 4 lateral tail feathers 

 white. 



This well known harmless inhabitant of meadows and 

 old fields is not only found in every part of the United 

 States, but appears to be a resident in all the intermediate 

 region, from the frigid latitude of 53°,* to the mild table 

 land of Mexico, t and the tropical savannahs of Guiana. 

 In the winter, they abound in Alabama and West Florida, 

 so that in some degree, like the Jays, and the legitimate 

 Starlings, they partially migrate in quest of food during 

 the severity of the weather in the colder states. It is not 

 however improbable, but that most of the migrating fami- 

 lies of this bird, which we find at this season, have merely 

 travelled eastward from the cold western plains that are 

 annually covered with snow. But although they are now 



* According to Richardson in Franklin's Journal. 



f Bullock's Travels. 



