Bird Families 
been made in this country. These two larks must not be con- 
fused with the meadow larks and titlarks, which belong to the 
blackbird and pipit families respectively. The horned larks are 
birds of the ground, and are seen in the United States only in the 
autumn and winter. In the nesting season at the North their 
voices are most musical. Plumage grayish and brown, in color 
harmony with their habitats. Usually found in flocks ; the first 
species on or near the shore. 
Horned Lark. 
Prairie Horned Lark. 
Family Corvidce : CROWS AND JAYS 
The crows are large black birds, walkers, with stout feet 
adapted for the purpose. Fond of shifting their residence at dif- 
ferent seasons rather than strictly migratory, for, except at the 
northern limit of range, they remain resident all the year. Gre- 
garious. Sexes alike. Omnivorous feeders, being partly car- 
nivorous, as are also the jays. Both crows and jays inhabit 
wooded country. Their voices are harsh and clamorous ; and 
their habits are boisterous and bold, particularly the jays. De- 
voted mates ; unpleasant neighbors. 
Common Crow. 
Fish Crow. 
Northern Raven. 
Blue Jay. 
Canada Jay. 
Family Icteridce : BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 
Plumage black or a brilliant color combined with black. 
(The meadow lark a sole exception.) Sexes unlike. These birds 
form a connecting link between the crows and the finches. The 
blackbirds have strong feet for use upon the ground, where they 
generally feed, while the orioles are birds of the trees. They are 
both seed and insect eaters. The bills of the bobolink and cow- 
bird are short and conical, for they are conspicuous seed eaters. 
Bills of the others long and conical, adapted for insectivorous 
diet. About half the family are gifted songsters. 
Red-winged Blackbird. 
Rusty Blackbird. 
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