Birds of America
By John James Audubon, F. R. SS. L. & E.
VOLUME III.
GENUS I.--PLECTROPHANES, Meyer. LARK-BUNTING.
Bill very short, robust, tapering, somewhat compressed; upper mandible
considerably narrower than the lower, its dorsal outline very slightly convex,
the sides rounded, the edges inflected, the marginal outline slightly angulate;
lower mandible with the dorsal line ascending and slightly convex, the edges
involute. Nostrils basal, roundish, partly concealed by the feathers. Head of
moderate size, ovate; neck short; body compact, tarsus shorter than the middle
toe with its claw, compressed, with seven anterior scutella; hind toe stout;
claws long, rather stout, little arched, acute, that of the hind toe much
elongated. Plumage soft and blended. Wings long, pointed; the first quill
longest. Tail rather long, emarginate.