LAND BIRDS. 443 
distribution. So far as we know now it has been found within Michigan 
territory only at Isle Royale, Lake Superior, where, in the fall of 1904, 
members of the University of Michigan expedition took four specimens, 
two males on August 18 and 26 and two females on August 24 and 29. 
Several flocks were seen during the month of August and it is possible 
that on belonged to this subspecies, but more likely that the flocks were 
mixed. 
Again, in 1905, this subspecies was found in numbers on Isle Royale 
and about fifty specimens were taken. They appeared first on August 
19, in large flocks, which seemed to consist entirely of immature birds 
and adult females, since no adult males were taken. Several specimens 
of the common Red-wing (pheniceus) were taken on August 18, but none 
after the Thick-billed Red-wing appeared. It seems almost certain that 
the latter form does not nest on Isle Royale (Peet, An. Rep. Mich. Geol. 
Surv., 1908, 362-363). We do not know of any differences in feeding 
or other habits between this subspecies and the typical Red-wing. Its 
nest and eggs are as yet unknown. 
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 
The original description of this subspecies is as follows: “Similar to Agelaius phoeniceus 
pheniceus, but decidedly larger, with bill relatively much shorter and thicker; adult female, 
adult male in winter, and immature female, similar in coloration to the same of A. p. 
sonoriensis, but distinguished by very different measurements” (Ridgway, Proc. Wash. 
Acad. Science, III, April 1901, p. 153). 
200. Meadowlark. Sturnella magna magna (Linn.). (501) 
Synonyms: Common Lark, Old Field Lark, Field Lark, Marsh Quail.—Alauda magna, 
Linn. 1758, Wilson, 1811.—Sturnus ludovicianus, Bonap., Nutt., Aud.—Sturnella magna, 
Baird, Allen, Ridgway, Brewster, and most American writers. 
Plate XLV and Figure 104. 
Recognizable at a glance by the gray-and-brown-streaked upper parts, 
and the brilliant yellow throat and breast separated by a broad v-shaped 
black collar. In flight the white outer tail-feathers are conspicuous. 
Distribution.—Eastern United States and southern Canada to the Plains. 
Breeds from the Gulf of Mexico northward. 
In Michigan the Meadowlark is widely distributed, being most abundant, 
however, in the Lower Peninsula and occurring only in the most favorable 
spots in the Upper Peninsula. We 
have records from Beaver Island in 
Lake Michigan, Mackinac Island at 
the head of Lake Huron, and Neebish 
Island in the St. Mary’s River, as 
well as from Chippewa, Mackinac, 
Luce, Alger, Marquette, Iron, Dickin- 
son and Delta counties, all in the 
Upper Peninsula. That it also occurs 
in favorable localities farther west 
in the Upper Peninsula is not to be 
doubted, but at present we have no 
data which warrant a positive state- 
ment in this respect. Presumably ines Gua, 
it breeds wherever it is found within Wing of Meadowlark, showing elongated 
tertiaries. 
our borders. 
