THE MEADOW LARK. 
77 
Yellow-flowered Gerardia. 
Gerardia flava, Willd., Sp. PL, vol. iii. p. 223. Pursh. FJ. Amer. Sept., vol. ii. p. 
423 . — Didynamia Angiospermia, Linn. — Scrophularin^:, 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 distribute \ 
along the Atlantic coasts, and attains a height of from two to three feet. 
FAMILY XVIII.— CORVIN2E. 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 ; coeca 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. 
