Missouri Meadowlark

Missouri Meadowlark [now Western Meadowlark]
Sturnella neglecta, Audubon [now Sturnella neglecta]
Octavo edition, plate 489

“We found the species quite abundant on our voyage up the Missouri, above Fort Croghan, and its curious notes were first noticed by Mr. J. G. BELL, without which in all probability it would have been mistaken for our common species (Sturnella ludoviciana) . . . on comparing the Missouri Meadow Lark with specimens of S. Ludoviciana, procured near New York, the differences are quite sufficient to warrant me to describe the former as a new and hitherto undescribed species. The bill of the Missouri Meadow Lark is more curved, and considerably narrower, than in the common species . . . The Missouri Lark is also considerably smaller; but the greatest difference is in the form of the tail, which in this species is nearly square, and consequently has the feathers nearly equal, whilst in the common one, the tail is rounded, and the two lateral feathers are nearly three quarters of an inch shorter than the middle ones . . . The nest is not covered over, and the eggs are considerably smaller, and differently marked. This species is very shy, but abundant on all the prairies; its flesh resembles that of the common bird, and is indifferent eating.”

John James Audubon, Birds of America (New York: J.J. Audubon; Philadelphia: J. B. Chevalier, 1840-1844), vol. 7, p. 340.

View bird in National Audubon Society Guide to North American Birds.

A specimen of this species, collected by Audubon, is housed within the collections of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.