320. 
321. 
322. 
406 SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSERES— OSCINES. 
which is much the same, with red instead of yellow. Contains several imperfectly differentiated 
conspecies, 3 of this country. 
Analysis ofMepecies. 
Common Characters. — Plumage highly variegated; each feather of the back blackish, with a terminal reddish- 
brown area, and sharp brownish-yellow borders ; neck similar, the pattern smaller ; crown streaked with black 
and brown, and witha pale median and superciliary stripe; a blackish line behind eye; several lateral tail-feathers 
white, the others, with the inner quills and wing-coverts, barred or scalloped with black, and brown or gray. Edge 
of wing, spot over eye, and under parts generally, bright yellow, the sides and crissum flaxen-brown, with numer- 
ous sharp blackish streaks, the breast with a large black crescent (obscure in the young). 
Prevailing tone brown above: yellow of chin confined to space between forks of the jaw; wings and tail with 
confluent black bars and gray scallops. 
Larger; black less predominant : wing 4.500rmore. . . . . + 2 2 © s+ + + = = = magna 320 
Smaller ; black more predominant; wing 4.50orless .. . . . . mexicana 321 
Prevailing tone gray above: yellow of chin spreading on cheeks; wiles sat tail with Rieentne black 
and pray VAIS foot: 5 cys: we ee ns eS SD Pe eke tare ee CGR 
S. mag/na. (Lat. magna, large.) FIELD LARK. OLD-FIELD LARK. Merapow Lark. 
The colors, as above described, rich and pure, the prevailimg aspect brown; black streaks 
prevailing on crown; yellow of chin 
usually confined between rami of 
under mandible ; black bars on wings 
and tail usually confluent along the 
shaft of the feathers, leaving the gray 
in scallops. Sexes similar: Q duller 
colored, the yellow paler. Young at 
first have little if any pale yellow, 
and the pectoral crescent indicated by 
a few streaks. Length of ¢ 10.00- 
11.00; extent about 17.00; wing 4.50 
Fic. 261. — Bill and foot of Sturnella, nat. size. (Ad nat. or more; tail 3.50; bill 1.35; tarsus 
ee) 1.40. 9: length 9.00-9.50; extent 
about 15.00; wing 4.25; tail 3.00. Varies greatly in size, like Ageleus ; southern-bred birds 
much smaller than northern. Eastern U. 8S. and British Provinces; N. to about 54°; mixing 
in the Upper Mississippi valley with neglecta, and extending to edge of the plains; everywhere 
abundant in open country; winters usually from the Middle States southward; imperfectly 
migratory ; partially gregarious when not breeding; strictly terrestrial ; an agreeable vocalist. 
Breeds throughout its range; nest of dried grass, on the ground, usually domed or covered in 
some way in the grass-clump. Eggs 4-6, crystal white, speckled with reddish and purplish ; 
very variable in size, averaging about 1.10 & 0.80. Two or three broods may be reared. 
S. m. mexica’na, (Lat. Mexican.) MexicAn Meapow Lark. Very similar; the browns 
intense, approaching reddish-brown; black at a maximum; yellow very rich. Size smaller; 
wing of g about 4.25; bill and feet relatively larger; bill 1.20; tarsus 1.60. Mexico to 
Texas. 
S. neglec'ta. (Lat. neglecta, not selected, overlooked ; as the variety long was.) WESTERN 
Meapow Lark. The colors duller and paler, the prevailing aspect gray; black at a mini- 
mum, not prevailing over gray on the crown: yellow of chin usually encroaching on sides of 
lower jaw; black on wings and tail usually resolved into distinct bars alternating with gray 
bars. Western U. 8.; from Iowa, etc., to the Pacific. General habits, manners, and appear- 
ance the same, but song said to be different. 
24. Subfamily ICTERINA: Orioles. 
Non-gregarious, insectivorous and frugivorous species, strictly arboricole ; of brilliant or 
strikingly contrasted colors, and pleasing song ; distinguished as architects, constructing elabo 
