

INSESSORES. 343 



surpasses all its kindred found within the United States. Length 

 eight inches. It breeds abundantly from Texas to New York. 

 In some parts, it is called the Virginia Nightingale. 



THE BLUE GROSBEAK, Coccoborus c&ruleus, and the ROSE- 

 BREASTED GROSBEAK, Coccoborus ludovicianus, are also very 

 beautiful species. 



THE SUMMER RED BIRD, Pyranga cestiva, (Lat. of sum- 

 mer,) coming from Mexico and farther South, is seen among 

 us in the hottest part of summer, rarely moving eastward of 

 New York. It feeds on insects, particularly the largest 

 beetles. This bird cannot bear cold, or even temperate weath- 

 er, and its stay in the United States, (where it breeds,) scarcely 

 exceeds four months. Length seven and a half inches. This 

 bird is also called Tanagra, (Gr. a brazen- vessel,) in allusion 

 to the color of the female bird. The BLACK-WINGED RED 

 BIRD, or TANAGER, is seven inches in length ; reaches New 

 York about the middle of May, and goes as far as 49o N. L. 

 It migrates by night in September. 



LARKS. 



Sub-family Alaudina, (Lat. alauda, a lark.) 



Of these singing birds there are many species, characterized 

 by a long and straight hind claw, a strong straight bill, and by 

 being able to raise the feathers on the back part of the head in 

 the form of a crest. The greater part of them are migratory ; 

 they build their nests on the ground and may be regarded as pe- 

 culiarly birds of the fields and meadows. The Larks are every 

 where distinguished for their vigilance and their song. The con- 

 formation of their feet does not adapt them for perching, but 

 rather for walking on the earth. They accordingly always 

 build on the ground, making usually a rather slight, though neat 

 nest, and laying about five eggs, for the most part of a grayish 

 white, with specks of a brown color. They frequently rear two 

 broods of young during the summer. 



These birds are famed for singing while in flight, and soaring 

 to great heights in the air. From the situation of their nests, 

 they are much exposed to the attacks of predaceous animals of 

 the weasel kind, which destroy a great many of the eggs and 

 young. During their migrations, immense numbers of these 

 singing birds are, contrary to our sense of justice, taken in nets 

 to increase the pleasures of the table, particularly on the conti- 

 nent of Europe. Swainson considers the genus Alauda to be of 



