LAND BIRDS. 443 



distribution. So far as we know now it has been found within iMichigan 

 territory only at Isle Royale, Lake Superior, where, in the fall of 1904, 

 members of the University of Micliigan expedition took four specimens, 

 two males on August 18 and 26 and two females on August 24 and 29. 

 Several flocks were seen during the month of August and it is possible 

 that all belonged to this subspecies, Init more likely that the flocks were 

 mixed. 



Again, in 1905, this subspecies was found in numbers on Isle Royale 

 and about fifty specimens were taken. They appeared first on August 

 19, in large flocks, which seemed to consist entirely of immature birds 

 and adult females, since no adult males were taken. Several specimens 

 of the common Red-wing (phoeniceus) were taken on August 18, but none 

 after the Thick-billed Red-wing appeared. It seems almost certain that 

 the latter form does not nest on Isle Royale (Feet, An. Rep. Mich. Geol. 

 Surv., 1908, 362-363). We do not know of any differences in feeding 

 or other habits between this subspecies and tlie typical Red-wing. Its 

 nest and eggs are as yet unknown. 



TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 



The original descri])tion of this suhspecie.s is as follows: "Similar to Agchiiiis j>h(iniceus 

 phoeniceus, but decidedly larger, witli 1)111 relatively much shorter and thicker; :i(hilt tVmale, 

 adult male in winter, and immature female, similar in coloration to the same of .1. p. 

 sonoriensis, but distinguished by very different measurements" (Ridgway, I'roc. Wash. 

 Acad. Science, III, April 1901, p. 153). 



200. Meadowlark, Sturnella magna magna (Linn.). (501) 



Synonyms: Common Lark, Old Field Lark, Field Lark, Marsh Quail. — Alauda magna, 

 Linn. 1758, Wilson, 1811. — Sturnus ludovicianus, Bonap., Nutt., Aud. — Sturnella magna. 

 Baird, Allen, Ridg^vay, Brewster, and most American writers. 



Plate XLV and Figure IO4. 



Recognizable at a glance by the gray-and-brown-streaked upper parts, 

 and the brilliant yellow throat and breast separated by a broad v-shaped 

 black collar. In flight the white outer tail-feathers are conspicuous. 



Distribution. — Eastern United States and southern Canada to the Plains. 

 Breeds from the Gulf of Mexico northward. 



In Michigan the Meadowlark is widely distrilnited, being most abundant, 

 however, in the Lower Peninsula and occurring only in the most favorable 

 spots in the Upper Peninsula. We 

 have records from Beaver Island in 

 Lake Michigan, Mackinac Island at 

 the head of Lake Huron, and Neebish 

 Island in the St. Mary's River, as 

 well as from Chippewa, Mackinac, 

 Luce, Alger, Marquette, Iron, Dickin- 

 son and Delta counties, all in the 

 Upper Peninsula. That it also occurs 

 in favorable localities farther west 

 in the Upper Peninsula is not to l)e 

 doubted, but at present we have no 

 data which wan-ant a positive state- 

 ment in this respect. Piesumal)ly ^. 

 it breeds wherever it is found within wins; of .Arcadowiirrki'siVowins? .-lonsatt'd 

 our Ijorders. ""'•*''"' 



