lark bunting

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]