406 



SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSEBES— OSCINES. 



320. 



which is much the same, with red instead of yellow. Contains several imperfectly dififerentiated 

 conspecies, 3 of this country. 



Analysis qf Conspecies. 



Common Characters. — Plumage highly 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, vrith numer- 

 ous sharp blackish streaks, the breast with a large black crescent (obscure in the young). 



Prevailing tone brown above : yeUow of chin 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 mexicatw, 321 



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



and gray bars . . . neglecta 322 



S. mag'na. (Lat. magna, large.) Field Laek. OLD-riELD Lark. Meadow Lark. 

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



prevailing on crown ; yellow of chin 

 ^JM' usually confined between rami of 

 under mandible ; black bars on wings 

 and tail usually confluent along the 

 ^' shaft of the feathers, leaving the gray 

 in scallops. Sexes similar : 9 duller 

 colored, the yellow paler. Young at 

 I first have little if any pale yellow, 

 ■ ?i| and the pectoral crescent indicated by 

 a few streaks. Length of ^ 10.00- 

 11.00; extent about 17.00; wing 4.50 

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

 ^^^■^•*^-' 1.40. 9 : length 9.00-9.50 ; extent 



about 15.00 ; wing 4.25 ; tail 3.00. Varies greatly in size, like Agelmus ; 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 in 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 4-6, crystal white, speckled with reddish and purplish ; 

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

 321. 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 $ about 4.35; bill and feet relatively larger; biU 1.20; tarsus 1.60. Mexico to 

 Texas. 



S. neglec'ta. (Lat. we^Zecto, not selected, overlooked ; as the variety long was.) Western 

 Meadow Laek. 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 the same, but song said to be different. 



322. 



24. Subfamily ICTERIN>E: Orioles. 



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

 strikingly contrasted colors, and pleasing song ; distinguished as architects, constructing elabo ■ 



