Bird Families 



been made in this country. These two larks must not be con- 

 fused with the meadow larks and titlarks, which belong to the 

 blackbird and pipit families respectively. The horned larks are 

 birds of the ground, and are seen in the United States only in the 

 autumn and winter. In the nesting season at the North their 

 voices are most musical. Plumage grayish and brown, in color 

 harmony with their habitats. Usually found in flocks ; the first 

 species on or near the shore. 



Horned Lark. 



Prairie Horned Lark. 



Family Corvidce : CROWS AND JAYS 



The crows are large black birds, walkers, with stout feet 

 adapted for the purpose. Fond of shifting their residence at dif- 

 ferent seasons rather than strictly migratory, for, except at the 

 northern limit of range, they remain resident all the year. Gre- 

 garious. Sexes alike. Omnivorous feeders, being partly car- 

 nivorous, as are also the jays. Both crows and jays inhabit 

 wooded country. Their voices are harsh and clamorous ; and 

 their habits are boisterous and bold, particularly the jays. De- 

 voted mates ; unpleasant neighbors. 



Common Crow. 



Fish Crow. 



Northern Raven. 



Blue jay. 



Canada Jay. 



Family Icteridce : BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 



Plumage black or a brilliant color combined with black. 

 (The meadow lark a sole exception.) Sexes unlike. These birds 

 form a connecting link between the crows and the finches. The 

 blackbirds have strong feet for use upon the ground, where they 

 generally feed, while the orioles are birds of the trees. They are 

 both seed and insect eaters. The bills of the bobolink and cow- 

 bird are short and conical, for they are conspicuous seed eaters. 

 Bills of the others long and conical, adapted for insectivorous 

 diet. About half the family are gifted songsters. 



Red-winged Blackbird. 



Rusty Blackbird. 

 6 



