Zoological Society* 2 1 7 



Alauda penicillata, Gouldf. Numerous: food, seeds. The speci- 

 mens sent are not so bright as the living bird, probably from the ef- 

 fect*^ of the arsenical soap. The males differ from the females in 

 being of a brighter colour, and in having the black feathers on the 

 top of the head much more distinctly marked. The yellow gorget 

 of both, in winter is bright, and in summer remarkably faint, while 

 the purple on the nape is vice versd. During the hot months they 

 are found on the neighbouring mountains, from which they are 

 driven down to the plain in winter in quest of food, which consists 

 then of the grain found in the dung of cattle, the ground being at 

 that time covered with snow several feet in depth. They fly in 

 companies of from three to twelve birds ; are very familiar, especially 

 so in winter, when they may be killed easily with an ordinary whip. 

 When approached, or in the agonies of death, they erect their horn- 

 shaped crest quite perpendicularly, with the tips curved inwards. 

 They run on the snow with surprising rapidity : as soon as the snow 

 has melted on the plain they return to the mountains. 



^Emberiza miliaria, Linn. M. & F. April 23, June 5. Common 

 in the fields close to Erzeroom. Feed on corn. 



^Pyrgita domestica, Cuv. M. Excessively common. Begin to 

 pair and build about the end of April and beginning of May. 



Pyrgita petronia, Gould. M. May 28. Very common, observed 

 in the spring and summer months in steep and stony ravines. Giz- 

 zard filled with wheat and chaff. 



Fringilla nivalis} Linn. May 27. Rare : food, insects. Found 

 in the neighbouring hills. 



Linaria montana, Ray. October 14. Noticed from the 20th of 

 September to the 18th of November, in companies. 



Fringilla sanguinea, GouldX. May 28. Tolerably common. First 

 appears on the neighbouring hills, and afterwards in the plains, at no 

 great distance from them. Food, the unripe seeds of the Cichoracea. 

 The young bird has a lighter plumage, and its skin is of a deep 

 pink colour. Arrives in the middle of May, and departs in the mid- 

 dle of September. 



Pterocles arenarius, Temm. M. & F. Very common. Iris dark 

 hazel; margin of eyelids pale light yellow. Food, grain, vetches, 

 tares, &c. Said to breed towards the end of April, on the adjoining 

 hills, amongst loose stones. Arrives in the beginning of April ; they 

 are then seen in those fields that are free from snow, close to the 

 town. In summer frequents bare sterile grounds. Quits Erzeroom 

 about the end of September. Native name, Bahghr-Kahrah (Black 

 Belly). 



*Otis tetrax, Linn. Very common in ploughed fields and on the 

 skirts of the marsh. Arrives early in September, and departs in the 

 middle of November. Native name, Mez-mel-dek. 



Glareolalimbata,Riipp. September 8. Rare. In flocks in marshy 

 situations. 



Vanellus cristatus, Meyer. September. Very numerous. Arrives 



t Proceedings Zool. See. 1837, p. 126. % Ibid. 



Ann, Nat, Hist. Vol. 5. No. 30. May 1840. q 



