MISSOURI MEADOW-LARK. 339 



AS} 

 ^ 8 ' 



Upper Missouri prairies. Common. 



Male. 



Bill much more slender than in Emberiza Henslowii (Atjd.); first quill the 

 longest, the rest diminishing rapidly. Tail emarginate and rounded, with 

 the feathers acute. Upper parts light yellowish-red, streaked with brownish- 

 black, the margins of the feathers and scapulars pale yellowish-white. Tail 

 feathers dusky, margined with light yellowish. Lower parts, with the 

 cheeks and a broad band over the eyes, fine buff. Medial line yellowish- 

 white. The buff extending to the femorals and along the sides, streaked 

 with brownish-black; throat, neck, and upper parts of the breast without any 

 streaks, and plain buff. 



Total length 4 5 -^ inches; wing from flexure 2^; first quill longest; tail 1^; 

 bill along' the ridge ■§-, along the edge nearly |-; both mandibles dark blue, 

 lighter along the edges. Eyes brown. Legs, feet and claws, dull flesh 

 colour. Tarsus ^; middle toe -|, its claw •§■; hind toe |-, its claw rather 

 more than i. 



FAMILY XVII.*— STURNINJE. STARLINGS. 

 Gexus I.f— STURNELLA, Vieill. MEADOW-STARLING. 



MISSOURI MEADOW-LARK. 



Sturnella neglecta, Aud. 

 PLATE CCCCLXXXIX.— Male. 



Although the existence of this species was known to the celebrated 

 explorers of the west, Lewis and Clark, during their memorable journey 

 across the Rocky Mountains and to the Pacific; no one has since taken the 

 least notice of it. 



These travellers mention it at page 236 of the first volume, edited by 

 Paul Allen, Esq., and revised by Archibald M'Vicar. They say, on 

 the 21st June, 1805, "There is also a species of Lark, much resembling the 



* See vol. iv. p. 69. t Ibid. 



