STURNELLA MA <!.\\ 1 :', ! I 



"The habits of the Yellow-headed Blackbird partake in their character of those of the 

 lli'd-wings with \vliicli it usually associates. It is, however, more decidedly gregarious, 

 while it is also noticeably more terrestrial, being frequently seen on the ground walking 

 about with a stately, graceful step very much after the manner of the Cow Blackbird." 



"The Yellow-headed Blackbird usually, if not always, breeds in colonies, in which re- 

 spect it corresponds in habits with Brewer's Blackbird and other members of the family, 

 selecting for the purpose an extensive marsh filled with tules. It attaches its nest to the 

 reed stalks, fastening them between several upright stems. The material, and doubtless 

 also the exact position of the nest, probably vary more or less according to the character 

 of the locality. The males of this species loiter in the vicinity of the nests while the females 

 arc incubating and, when their homes are invaded, circle about the intruder, uttering at 

 the same time harsh notes of distress. The song of this Blackbird is a very unmusical 

 affair. Indeed we cannot bring to mind any other of our native birds whose notes are so 

 discordant, and we know not with what to compare them unless it be the grating squawk of 

 a Guinea Fowl. The male, however, makes a great parade of himself when in a musical 

 humor, pulling out his feathers, strutting about in a very pompous manner, and then, after 

 a great heave and strain, delivers himself of a wheezy sort of squeak which is evidently 

 satisfactory to himself, while it also seems to please his mate." 



(iKM S V. STURNELLA. THE MEADOW LARKS. 



CIKN. I'll. Ili/l, pniii/i'il, liriiinl nl tip, C'lual in lenytklo the head. Upper mandible very lit tic curved. Winys rcry murk 

 i/iiin III: /ni/ irhirh i.i in-ll rntimlnl. /'/, laryc. Sternum, narrower, Imt lilt/i i.Tniilmij Ihr hiii/lil <if Ilit keel in 

 mill It. Ciiriii-nii/s much shorter than the top of the keel. Marginal indentations shallow and narrow. Stomach, not very 

 intixfiitar. Size, laryc. 



M. Mnbcrs nl' this ge'iius arc conspicuously marked with yellow or other bright colors below. The legs are long and the 

 tail short, indicating terrestrial habits. The females are smaller than the males. 



STUBNELLA MAGNA. 

 Meadow Lark. 



SturnellamaynaSvi.. Phil. Ma-., I: !*#<. i:i. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Sr. OH. Form, robust. Size, large. Feet, very large and stout. Tongue, lung, thin nnd horny, with a longitudinal 

 central dcprcs.-iun, and deeply bifid at tip, but without any terminal cilia. Blue in color on the ba.sal half, remainder, 

 white. Sternum, as given above. 



COLOR. Ai/tilt mull in sutitnuT. Above, including wings and tail, reddish-brown, with the feathers c;f the back and 

 rump ha\ing lighter edges and dark-brown centers. Wings and tail have either the central port inns dark-brown with 

 Confluent, transverse bars or with both \\vbs barred without the central line. Outer leathers of tail, white, with some por- 

 ; outer and inner webs more Or len marked with brown. Top nf head, dark-brown, with a median line; extending 

 from the bill to the' occiput, yellowish-white. Sides cif head, excepting dark-brown line 1 back of eye, lores, sides of neck, 

 sides, flanks, under wing cow-rts, and un ler tail coverts, ashy-white, more or Ic-s tinged with yellow, especially cm the lat- 

 ter named ] Mil ion, an 1 linj extending from base of bill to point over eye, bright u-amh, uri '-yellow. Spot- on -Mr-, Hanks, and 

 it shaped mark on breast, with the horns broadening out and extending up on to the nock, black, liill, dark-brown, 

 bluish at ba-c of lower inaudible. Feet, brown. 



A dull fit/tali- in stimuli r. Smaller insize than tin-males and with the dark markings more or lessoliscured with brown- 

 ish-yellow. 



Adult in ii-uUtr. Differs from the' summer dress in being more rufous above and in ha\ in:: the' black markings obscur- 

 ed with whitish. Thi- i- much more noticeable in the icinale, and in both -.-xe- ju<t after the' autumnal moult. 



1 ntnif/ ii/'t/n iji'ar. Has the markings above' more sull'used. There is \cry much less \e'llo\v in advance oftlice\c. 

 The entire under parts are overwa-shed with whitish nearly obscuring the black crc-cuit. There is me ire white: on the tail. 



