AMERICAN STARLING, or MEADOW LARK. 
( Sturnus ludovicianus, L. Mauda magna , Wilsojx, 3. p. 20. pi. 19. 
fig. 2. Philad. Museum, No. 5212.) 
Sp. Charact. — Beneath and line over the eye bright yellow} a 
black crescent on the breast; and with the 4 lateral tail feathers 
white. 
This well known harmless inhabitant of meadows and 
old fields is not only found in every part of the United 
States, but appears to be a resident in all the intermediate 
region, from the frigid latitude of 53°,^ to the mild table 
land of Mexico, f and the tropical savannahs of Guiana. 
In the winter, they abound in Alabama and West Florida, 
so that in some degree, like the Jays, and the legitimate 
Starlings, they partially migrate in quest of food during 
the severity of the weather in the colder states. It is not 
however improbable, but that most of the migrating fami- 
lies of this bird, which we find at this season, have merely 
travelled eastward from the cold western plains that are 
annually covered with snow. But although they are now 
* According to Richardson in Franklin’s Journal. 
t Bullock’s Travels. 
