FAMILY VIX. 
GRE GARII, Illiger. 
GENUS VIII. — STUKNUS, Linnjeus. 
49 . STUKNUS LUDOriCIAJSTUS, LINN. — ALAUDA MAGNA, WILSON. 
MEADOW LARK. 
WILSON, PLATE XIX. FIG. II. EDINBURGH COLLEGE MUSEUM. 
Though this well known species cannot boast of the 
powers of song- which distinguish that “ harbinger of 
day,” the sky lark of Europe, yet in richness of plumage, 
as well as in sweetness of vdice, (as far as his few notes 
extend,) he stands eminently its superior. He differs 
from the greater part of his tribe in wanting the long 
straight hind claw, which is probably the reason why 
he has been classed, by some naturalists, with the 
starlings. But, in the particular form of his bill, in his 
manners, plumage, mode and place of building his nest, 
nature has clearly pointed out his proper family. 
This species has a very extensive range ; having 
myself found them in Upper Canada, and in each of 
the States from New Hampshire to New Orleans. Mr 
Bartram also informs me, that they are equally abun- 
dant in East Florida. Their favourite places of retreat 
are pasture fields and meadows, particularly the latter, 
which have conferred on them their specific name ; 
and no doubt supplies them abundantly with the 
particular seeds and insects on which they feed. They 
are rarely or never seen in the depth of the woods ; 
unless where, instead of underwood, the ground is 
covered with rich grass, as in the Chactaw and Chicka- 
saw countries, where I met with them in considerable 
numbers in the months of May and June. The exten- 
sive and luxuriant prairies between Vincennes and St 
Louis also abound with them. 
It is probable that, in the more rigorous regions of 
