资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Lark \Lark\, n. [OE. larke, laverock, AS. l[=a]werce; akin to D.
leeuwerik, LG. lewerke, OHG. l?rahha, G. lerche, Sw.
l["a]rka, Dan. lerke, Icel. l[ae]virki.] (Zo["o]l.)
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 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.
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 ({A. 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}.
{Lark bunting} (Zo["o]l.), a fringilline bird ({Calamospiza
melanocorys}) found on the plains of the Western United
States.
{Lark sparrow} (Zo["o]l.), a sparrow ({Chondestes
grammacus}), found in the Mississippi Valley and the
Western United States.