Chondestes grammacus
(gcide) | Lark \Lark\, n. [OE. larke, laverock, AS. l[=a]werce; akin to D.
leeuwerik, LG. lewerke, OHG. l[=e]rahha, G. lerche, Sw.
l[aum]rka, Dan. lerke, Icel. l[ae]virki.] (Zool.)
Any one numerous species of singing birds of the genus
Alauda and allied genera (family Alaudid[ae]). They
mostly belong to Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa. In
America they are represented by the shore larks, or horned
larks, of the genus Otocoris. The true larks have
holaspidean tarsi, very long hind claws, and, usually, dull,
sandy brown colors.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The European skylark, or lark of the poets ({Alauda
arvensis}), is of a brown mottled color, and is noted
for its clear and sweet song, uttered as it rises and
descends almost perpendicularly in the air. It is
considered a table delicacy, and immense numbers are
killed for the markets. Other well-known European
species are the crested, or tufted, lark ({Alauda
cristata}), and the wood lark (Alauda arborea). The
pipits, or titlarks, of the genus Anthus (family
Motacillid[ae]) are often called larks. See Pipit.
The American meadow larks, of the genus Sturnella,
are allied to the starlings. See Meadow Lark. The
Australian bush lark is Mirafra Horsfieldii. See
Shore lark.
[1913 Webster]
Lark bunting (Zool.), a fringilline bird ({Calamospiza
melanocorys}) found on the plains of the Western United
States.
Lark sparrow (Zool.), a sparrow (Chondestes grammacus),
found in the Mississippi Valley and the Western United
States.
[1913 Webster] |