20 



MEADOW LARK. 



ALAUDA MAGNA, 

 [Plate XIX.— Fig. 2.] 



Linn. Syst. 289. — Crescent Stare^ Arct. Zool. 330. No. 192. — Latham IIL 6. Far, A.-^ 

 Le Fer-a-cheval, ou Merle d Collier d^Ameriguey Buff. IIL /?. 37L — Catesb. Car, 1. 

 pi. 33. — Bartram, p. 290. — Peale's Museum, No. 5212. 



THO this well-known species cannot boast of the powers of 

 song which distinguish that " harbinger of day" the Sky Lark of 

 Europe, yet in richness of plumage, as well as in sweetness of voice 

 (as far as his few notes extend), he stands eminently its superior. 

 He differs from the greater part of his tribe in wanting the long 

 straight hind claw, which is probably the reason why he has been 

 classed, by some late naturalists, with the Starlings. But in the 

 particular form of his bill, in his manners, plumage, mode and 

 place of building his nest, nature has clearly pointed out his pro- 

 per family. 



This species has a very extensive range; having myself found 

 them in Upper Canada, and in each of the states from New Hamp- 

 shire to New Orleans. Mr. Bartram also informs me that they are 

 equally abundant in East Florida. Their favorite places of retreat 

 are pasture fields and meadows, particularly the latter, which have 

 conferred on them their specific name ; and no doubt supplies them 

 abundantly with the particular seeds and insects on which they feed. 

 They are rarely or never seen in the depth of the woods ; unless 

 where, instead of underwood, the ground is covered with rich grass, 

 as in the Chactaw and Chickasaw countries, where I met with them 

 in considerable numbers in the months of May and June. The 

 extensive and luxuriant prairies between Vincennes and St. Louis 

 also abound with them. 



