406 SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSJEBES—OSCINES. 



whicli is much the same, with red instead of yellow. Contains several imperfectly differentiated 

 conspecies, 3 of this country. 



Analysis of Conspecies. 



Common Characters. — Plumage higbly 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 with a 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 ciftn confined to space between forks of the jaw; wings and tail with 

 confluent black bars and gray scallops. 



Larger; black less predominant : wing 4..50 or more magna 320 



Smaller; black more predominant; wing 4.50 or less mexicana 321 



Prevailing tone gray above: yellow of chin spreading on cheeks ; wings and tail with alternating black 



and gray bars neglecta 322 



320. S. mag'na. (Lat. magna, large.) Field Lark. Old-field Lark. Meadow Lark. 

 The colors, as above described, rich ami pure, the prevailing aspect brown; black streaks 



prevaiUng on ero^vn ; yellow of chin 

 1221=— 7=^f^ _ ")ij usually confined between rami of 



"""' under mandible ; black bars on wings 



and tail usually confluent along the 

 f^ -*'=^=^^''^ '^•^^ft^^mt ^'"^ shaft of the feathers, leaving the gray 



t«l^ in scallops. Sexes similar : 9 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 abcjut 17.00; wing i. 50 

 Fig. 261. — Bill and foot of Sturnella, nat. size. (Ad nat. or more; tail 3.50; bill 1.35 ; tarsus 

 '^''^■^■°* 1.40. ?; length 9.00-9.50 ; extent 



about 15.00 ; wing 4.25 ; taU 3.00. Varies greatly in size, like Agelaus ; southern-bred birds 

 much smaller than northern. Eastern U. S. and British Provinces ; N. to about 54° ; mixing 

 in the Upper Mississippi valley with neglecta, and extending to edge of the plains; everywhere 

 abundant m 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 -1-6, crystal white, speckled with reddish and purplish ; 

 very varial)le in size, averaging about 1.10 X 0.80. Two or three broods may be reared. 

 331. S. m. mexica'na. (Lat. Mexican.) Mexican Meadow Lark. Very similar ; the browns 

 intense, approaching reddish-brown; black at a maximum ; yellow very rich. Size smaller; 

 wing of (J about 4.25; bill and feet relatively larger; bill 1.20; tarsus 1.60. Mexico to 

 Texas. 

 333. S. neglec'ta. (Lat. neglecta, not selected, overlooked ; as the variety long was.) Western 

 Meadow 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. S., from Iowa, etc., to the Pacific. General habits, manners, and appear- 

 ance tlie same, but song said to be different. 



24. Subfamily ICTERIN/E: Orioles. 



Non-gregarious, insectivorous and frugivorous species, strictly arboricole ; of brilliant or 

 stril^ingly contrasted colors, and pleasing song; distinguished as architects, constructing elabo- 



