JAV-. i 253 



with yellow, and aonietin.c* entirely white. L., 7-25 ; u W.. 4-08 ; T., 2- ; B. 



(Dw 



. Brood* in tin- u|.j>er Miiwhwipi'i Valley i>atward through New 

 York to western MawachuMlt* arul l.--ti/ Nluii-l. 

 Washington, common W. V., < >. -t. _-.. t.. Aj-l. 



Thin is one of tin- liinl-* that has changed its range since the settle- 

 ment of America. It is properly u .-.pi-cics <>( the prairies and open 

 barrens, but since the nnre-cuiitiniioiis forest of tin- older States and 

 provinces has been broken up, it 

 has made its appearance in the east, 

 whercTer 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, ri 78 - 

 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 run*, but does not hop, and when 

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

 ably flics 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 sonj,' while perched on some clod or 

 stone, especially just before dawn and after sun-.t. a- \\.-ll as in the 

 springtime, while the snow is yet on the ground. KRXKST K. THOMPSON. 



Ki KopxAX SKYLARKS ($??. Al<iu-i ' i.ii\v !><TM intr'nlucetl several 



time* in th'ut country. In 1887 a Hinall colony hail become etaMUli<-'l near 

 Flatbiuh, Long Inland, where a nest with youii wax found. (See Dut.-lu-r. 

 Auk, v, 1888, p. 180.) After a supposed extinction u .siinrinir l>inl an. I IK-.HI 

 were observed in July, 1M:>. |S,- ( i I'roctr, Auk, xii, < M.. 



FAMILY CORVTOJE. CROWS, JAYS, ETC. 



The Corrida are represenUxl in all jwrts of the world except New 

 Zealand. They numlter nl>out two hundred s^-ies, of which twnity- 

 flve are found in North Atm-rica. 



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

 tory to a limit. -.1 extent, are resident throughout the year, except at 

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

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



