406 SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSEBES— OSCINES. 
which is much the same, with red instead of yellow. Contains several imperfectly differentiated 
conspecies, 3 of this country. 
Analysis of 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, with numer- 
ous sharp blackish streaks, the breast with a large black crescent (obscure in the young). 
Prevailing tone brown above: yellow 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 mexicana 321 
Prevailing tone gray above : yellow of chin spreading on cheeks : wings and tail with alternating black 
and gray bars . neglecta 322 
320. S. mag/na. (Lat. magna, large.) Field Lark. Old-field Lark. . Meadow Lark. 
The colors, as above described, rich and pure, the prevailing aspect brown; black streaks 
prevaihng on crown ; yellow of chin 
•]M usually confined between rami of 
under mandible ; black bars on \vings 
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 
first have little if any pale yellow, 
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; bill 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 Agelceus ; 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 maxhnum ; yellow very rich. Size smaller ; 
wing of ^ about 4.25; bill and feet relatively larger; bill 1.20; tarsus 1.60. Mexico to 
Texas. 
322. S. neglec'ta. (Lat. neglecta, not selected, overlooked ; as the variety long was.) Western 
Meadow Lark. The colors duller and paler, the prevailing aspect gray ; black at a mini- 
mum, not prevaihng over gray on the crown ; yeUow 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. 
24. Subfamily ICTERIN/E: Orioles. 
Non-gregarious, insectivorous and frugivorous species, strictly arboricole ; of brilliant or 
strikingly contrasted colors, and pleasing song ; distinguished as architects, constructing elabo- 
