370 
PASSERIFORMES 
Distinctions. Not to be mistaken for any other species except the Eastern Meadow- 
lark, of which, however, there is no evidence of occurrence in Canada west of the Great 
Lakes. It differs from that species in having the yellow of the throat and breast extending 
farther up the face, including the base of the lower mandible, and the feathers of the upper- 
tail-coverts being more narrowly centre streaked with a sharper saw-toothed pattern 
(See Figure 461). 
Field Marks. Large size, brown back, yellow throat, breast, and underparts with jet 
black necklace and breast crescent, white outer tail feathers showing in flight, make the 
species easy to recognize as a meadowlark. Geography — occurrence west of the Great 
Lakes in Canada — is probably determinative. Its voice is entirely different from that of 
the Eastern Meadowlark. One of its most characteristic calls has been well syllabized by 
a western ornithologist as “King-chigle-a-buw k” in contrast with the eastern bird that 
may say “ Toodle-de-you .” There are many variants, of course, of either of these calls, but 
they are both common with their respective species. 
Nesting. Nest of grasses on the ground in the grass, usually arched over like an oven. 
Distribution. Western North America. In Canada, the southern prairies and south- 
ern British Columbia. 
Though beautiful as a bit of colour, the Western Meadowlark derives 
most of its well-earned fame from its voice, which rings rich, full, and true 
over the open fields and prairies. To the easterner hearing the Western 
Meadowlark for the first time, no matter how well prepared for it he may 
be, there comes a distinctly pleasant surprise. The bird itself is an exact 
replica of his old familiar friend of the eastern provinces in appearance and 
habit, but the voice bears no resemblance, except in occasional common- 
place notes. It is not a glorified Eastern Meadowlark song, but one 
entirely different, and at first sound he can scarcely connect it with the 
familiar-looking bird on the nearby fence-post. To attempt to describe 
the song and give a fair idea of its peculiar richness and qualify to one who 
does not know it is an interesting but perhaps futile experiment. The 
above typical examples are perhaps as close as can be arrived at. The 
only quality that can be well expressed is its ventriloquistic effect. It 
sounds in the ear loud and close and one glances up at the near fence-line 
for it, only to finally discover it across the intervening field some hundred 
yards away. 
After the long winter, when the chinook winds have melted away 
the dreary white expanse of snow surrounding the prairie ranch house, the 
clear notes of the meadowlark proclaim the first advent of spring. No 
bird is so well known or as much beloved by the western plainsman as is 
the meadowlark. 
Economic Status. Similar to preceding species. 
497. Yellow-headed Blackbird, l’etourneau A tete jaune. Xanthocephalus 
xanthocephalus. L, 10-0. Plate LXXII A. Slightly larger than the Red-winged Black- 
bird, with a bright yellow hood over head, neck, and breast, and conspicuous white area 
at base of primaries on forepart of wings. Female: uniform dark brown with throat and 
upper breast dull white or dull yellow. Younger juvenile birds are like females, but with 
rusty-ochre hood. 
Distinctions. The adult male is unmistakable. In females and young birds, the 
white wing marks are missing, but the whitish or dull yellow throat and the well-defined, 
rusty-ochre hood are distinctive. This latter description may suggest the autumn Rusty 
Blackbird, but the rusty colour of that species blends away on the body and never resembles 
a hood. 
Field Marks. The male, with its black body, yellow hood, and white wing-patches, 
is very conspicuous. The light, or dull yellow, throat and foreneck of the female and 
the dull ochre hood of the juvenile are almost as easily recognized. 
