The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
skylark
common name for a passerine songbird (Alauda arvensis) famous for the soaring, melodious flight of the courting male. Found in Europe (except in the Mediterranean area), it is 71/4 in. (18.2 cm) long, brown streaked with black above, and streaked buff-white below. Skylarks were a table delicacy in Europe. Attempts to introduce the bird into North America have failed, except on Vancouver Island. Skylarks are classified in the phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Aves, order Passeriformes, family Alaudidae.
