meadowlark

[ med-oh-lahrk ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

any of several American songbirds of the genus Sturnella, of the family Icteridae, especially S. magna eastern meadowlark and S. neglecta western meadowlark, having a brownish and black back and wings and a yellow breast, noted for their clear, tuneful song.

meadowlark

/ ˈmɛdəʊˌlɑːk /

either of two North American yellow-breasted songbirds, Sturnella magna ( eastern meadowlark ) or S. neglecta ( western meadowlark ): family Icteridae (American orioles)

First recorded in 1605–15; meadow + lark ¹

An old man of that nation was asked if his people ever used the meadowlark for food.

She said “I will prepare you for this quest; but first bring to me a wolf, a turtle and a meadowlark.”

Then she brought him food; and after he had eaten and rested he set out to find the wolf, the turtle and the meadowlark.

The meadowlark was given a pleasing voice so that his songs would make the magpie ashamed.

The wolf proposed a trial in hunting, but the meadowlark and the turtle said they could not hunt.

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

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