CROWS, JAYS, ETC. 



253 



with yellow, and sometimes entirely white. L., 7*25 ; " W., 4-08 ; T., 2-86 ; B. 

 from N., -37" (I) wight). 



Range. — Breeds in the upper Mississippi Valley eastward through JNew 

 York to western Massachusetts and Long Island. 



Washington, common W. V., Oct. 25 to Apl. 



This is one of the birds that has changed its range since the settle- 

 ment of America. It is properly a species of the prairies and open 

 barrens, but since the once-continuous forest of the older States and 

 provinces has been broken up, it 

 has made its appearance in the east, 

 wherever the country is suited to 

 its requirements. 



It is strictly a ground bird, never 

 perching on trees, though it com- 

 monly alights on the top of a fence 

 post or other low, level surface. 

 When encountered on a pathway it 

 often runs before the pedestrian, 

 after the manner of the Vesper 

 Sparrow, from which bird, however, 

 it may be distinguished by the 

 black feathers in its tail, by its chocolate back, and by the black marks 

 on its face ; also by the fact that it rwns, but does not hop, and when 

 it flies it usually utters a whistle, whereas the Vesper Sparrow invari- 

 ably flies off in silence. 



Its chief song is poured forth in the air as it soars aloft, like a Sky- 

 lark ; but it often utters this same song while perched on some clod or 

 stone, especially just before dawn and after sunset, as well as in the 

 springtime, while the snow is yet on the ground. — Ernest E. Thompson, 



European Skylarks (^7,?. Alauda ariJew-sis) have been introduced several 

 times in this country. In 1887 a small colony had become establisiied near 

 Flatbush, Long Island, where a nest with young was found. (See Dutcher, 

 Auk, V, 1888, p. 180.) After a supposed extinction a singing bird and nest 

 were observed in July, 1895. (See Proctor, Auk, xii, Oct., 1SU5.) 



Fig. 76. 



-Prairie Horned Lark. (Nat- 

 ural size.) 



Family Corvid^. Crows, Jays, etc. 



The Corvidce are represented in all parts of the world except New 

 Zealand. They number about two hundred species, of which twenty- 

 five are found in North America. 



Our Crows and Jays inhabit wooded regions, and, although migra- 

 tory to a limited extent, are resident throughout the year, except at 

 the northern limits of their range. They are omnivorous feeders, 

 taking fruits, seeds, insects, eggs, nestlings, etc. 



