How to Name the Birds 21 



glossy black, the plumage being sprinkled with whitish dots, which are 

 larger and more numerous in winter. 



External Structure. — The Starling has a rather long, slender, flattened 

 bill, which, in summer, is yellow, with the outer primary about half an 

 inch long, long pointed wings, a short square tail, and strong, stout feet. 



Appearance and Habits. — The Starling's long, pointed wings and short 

 tail give it, in the air, the appearance of a flying spear-head. The wings 

 move rapidly, but before alighting it sails for some distance. On the 



HORNED LARK. Family Alaudida 

 One-third natural size 



ground, its habit of walking and short tail readily identify it. In the fall 

 Starlings gather in flocks, which, near New York city, sometimes contain 

 over 100 individuals. 



Song. — When in flocks Starlings utter a singular cackling, metallic 

 chorus. They have also a long-drawn, clear, high, two-noted whistle, 

 the second note being slightly lower than the first. 



. Family 2. Larks. Alaudida. 1 species, 1 subspecies. 



Range. — The Larks, numbering about 100 species, are, with the ex- 

 ception of the Horned Larks (genus Otocorys) , confined to the Old World. 

 The Horned Larks are represented in the Old World by three or more 

 species, and in this country by one species and some twelve races, or 

 subspecies, two of which, the true Horned Lark and its small race, the 

 Prairie Horned Lark, are found east of the Mississippi. The former 

 breeds in Labrador and the Hudson Bay region, and ranges southward in 

 winter to Virginia and Illinois; the latter breeds in the upper Mississippi 

 valley from southern Illinois northward and eastward through western 



