maize, and destroy often a great part of the crop. It has been removed by M. Tem-
minck from Gracula, to the genus in which it is now placed.
Stumus Ludovidanus. Meadow Lark.
The Meadow Lark was described by Linnaeus both as an Alauda, and as a Sturnus,
and even the careful and accurate Brisson, fell into the same error ; they considered
that they were describing different birds. The two were brought together as varieties
of one species, by Dr. Latham, the*one being placed as a native of Carolina, and the
other of Louisiana; but these are probably not varieties, but the same bird in different
states of plumage. The manners and habits of the species have some accordance
with those of the genus Alauda, and as it usually frequents low grassy fields, it has
acquired the name of Meadow Lark in America. These birds migrate partially, for
some remain in the same parts of the United, States the whole year. Two specimens
were received, apparently male and female, one being less brilliant in colour than the
other. The bird is larger than the Common Starling, mottled over the whole upper
parts with dark and light brown, having a white stripe along the middle of the head;
the under parts are bright yellow crossed on the neck with a crescent of black, whence
it has been called the Crescent Stare.
Turdus Migratorius. Red-breasted Thrush.
This bird is noticed both by Hearne and Forster; it is well known in the United
States as the Robin. In its notes, manners, and habits, it bears a strong resemblance
to our Common Thrush, supplying the place of that delightful songster to the inhabitants
of North America, in every part of which it is known at various periods of the
year. The specimen received is not so brilliant as that figured by Wilson, and is probably
therefore that of a female.
Lanius Excubitor. Great Cinerous Shrike.
This bird is an inhabitant, though not particularly abundant, of the northern
parts of Europe, Asia, and America. Wilson doubted whether the American
bird was the same species as is known and described under the above name by
European naturalists; but a comparison of specimens, which he had not the
opportunity of instituting, is decisive of their identity. From its bearing a general
resemblance in its plumage to the Canada Jay, it has obtained among the settlers
round Hudson’s Bay the name of White Whisky-John.
Sylvia JEstiva. Yellow-polled Warbler.
The yellow colour of this little bird is not confined to its head alone, but extends
conspicuously over the whole lower part of the body, the breast being prettily dashed
with touches of red. It is a very small species, corresponding in size, and resembling
in manners, the Yellow Wren, S. Trochilus, of Europe. Though found in the
northern parts of America in the summer, it is said not to breed there; this, however,
seems very questionable, for all the regular migrants at that season which
proceed northwards, probably rear their brood during the interval after such movement.
Wilson has called the bird S. Citrinella, Blue-eyed Yellow Warbler, and has
very properly corrected an error of Buffon, who described a different species as the
female.
Emberiza Nivalis. Snow Bunting.
Two specimens in their winter plumage were received. Snow buntings are found
m all places near the Arctic Circle, proceeding towards the most northern lands with
the first appearance of spring in those dreary regions, and leaving them only when no
longer habitable to any of the feathered race.
Pyrrhida Enucleator. Pine Grosbeak.
A single specimen of a young bird was received. It appears from Hearne, that this
species is well known in Hudson’s Bay. It is also described by Forster, and by
Ornithological writers generally, as an inhabitant of the Arctic countries wheresoever
it can find trees and shrubs, on the buds of which it subsists. It does not go
far south, and is noticed by Wilson as rare in Pennsylvania. The Pine Grosbeak, as
well as two species of Cross-bills, all natives of cold countries, have much red in their
plumage when young, which turns to orange as they advance in age ; such alteration
from bright to less splendid plumage, in the progress from youth to maturity, is contrary
to the usual course of nature in birds. M. Temminck has transferred the Pine
and other Grosbeaks to his Genus Pyrrhula, confining Loxia to the Cross-bills.
Pyrrhida Ludoviciana, Red-breasted Grosbeak.
Wilson, who describes this bird under the name of Loxia Rosea, Rose-breasted
Grosbeak, does not trace it into the southern states; it is found in the fall of the year
in New-York and New England, and from the specimen before us appears to migrate
into the more northern parts where it probably breeds, retiring towards Louisiana
for the winter. It is the Rose-gorge and the Gros-bec de la Louisiane of Buffon, and
has been described by Latham and Pennant, as well as by Gmelin, as one species
under the names of Loxia Ludoviciana or Red-breasted Grosbeak, and as another
species which they have called Fringilla Punicea or Red-breasted Finch. The specimen
received is that of a young male, the back of which is mottled with black, ash-colour,
arid some little white; the crimson feathers of the breast extend nearly to the lower
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