from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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]