Lark, n.  Zool. Any one numerous species of singing birds of the genus Alauda and allied genera (family Alaudidæ). 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.
 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 Motacillidæ) 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 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.


 Sky·lark n. Zool. A lark that mounts and sings as it files, especially the common species (Alauda arvensis) found in Europe and in some parts of Asia, and celebrated for its melodious song; -- called also sky laverock. See under Lark.
 Note: ☞ The Australian skylark (Cincloramphus cantillans) is a pipit which has the habit of ascending perpendicularly like a skylark, but it lacks the song of a true lark.  The Missouri skylark is a pipit (Anthus Spraguei) of the Western United States, resembling the skylark in habit and song.

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 Alauda arvensis
      n : brown-speckled European lark noted for singing while
          hovering at a great height [syn: skylark]