THE MEADOW LARK. 77 



Yellow-flowered Gerardia. 



Gerardia flava, Willd., Sp. PL, vol. iii. p. 223. Pursh, FI. Amer. Sept., vol. ii. p. 423. 

 — Didynamia Anciospermia, Linn.— Scrophularin.e, Juss. 



Downy, with the stems nearly undivided, the leaves subsessile, lanceolate, 

 entire or toothed, the lower incised, the flowers axillary, opposite, nearly 

 sessile. I found this plant abundant in the meadows of New Jersey, where 

 it was in full flower at the end of May, the rich yellow blossoms enlivening 

 the uniform aspect of the plains. It is pretty generally distributed along the 

 Atlantic coasts, and attains a height of from two to three feet. 



FAMILY XVIIL— CORVINE. CROWS. 



Bill about the length of the head, robust, nearly straight, compressed; 

 upper mandible with the dorsal line more or less arched, its tip slightly 

 deflected, the edges sharp, with a slight notch or sinus. Nostrils basal, 

 roundish, concealed by reversed slender stiff feathers. Head rather large, 

 ovate; neck of moderate length, body compact. Feet of ordinary length, 

 rather stout; tarsus compressed, with about eight large scutella; toes four, 

 first stronger, but about the same length as the second and fourth, which 

 latter is adherent at the base. Claws rather large, arched, compressed, acute. 

 Plumage various; wings long or of moderate length, much rounded, the first 

 quill about half the length of the fourth or fifth, which are longest; tail of 

 twelve broad feathers. Upper mandible concave, with several longitudinal 

 ridges; tongue oblong, flat above, horny, thin edged, with the tip slit and 

 lacerated; oesophagus of moderate width, without dilatation; proventriculus 

 bulbiform; stomach, a gizzard of moderate power, with a rugous dense 

 epithelium; intestine of moderate length and width; cceca small, cylindrical, 

 adnate. Trachea with four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles. Nest in 

 high places, or in cavities, rudely constructed; eggs from four to six, ovate 

 or oblong. 



