454 GRANIVOROUS BIRDS. 



In a few of the European species the moult is double, 

 but the greater number of kinds, inhabiting other coun- 

 tries, usually undergo this double change. The males, 

 among some of the species, put on extraordinary nuptial 

 ornaments, while others, on this occasion, are docorated 

 with a brilliant-colored plumage ; all of them, however, 

 in the winter season, assume the humble garb of the 

 female. These remarkable changes take place chiefly 

 among those species which inhabit the warmer countries, 

 as but few of the species ?n the United States, any more 

 than in Europe, undergo this external transformation. 

 Many of them are distinguished for the melody of their 

 song ; and some for their extraordinary docility in edu- 

 cation. 



LARKS. (Alauda, Lin.) 



In these the bill is straight, rather short, and in the form almost 

 of an extended cone ; the upper mandible convex and entire, slightly 

 curved, and nearly of equal length with the lower. Nostrils at the 

 base of the bill, oval, and covered by the advancing feathers of the 

 forehead. Tongue bifid. Feet, toes free, hind nail nearly straight, 

 and generally longer than the toe. — Wings of moderate extent, the 

 spurious feather very short or wanting ; the 2d and 3d primaries 

 longest, the first scarcely shorter ; secondaries emarginated ; two of 

 the scapulars nearly as long as the primaries. The tail is usually 

 forked. Feathers of the head more or less elongated and capable of 

 erection. — Female and young scarcely different from the adult male. 



These birds live in flocks or families, dwelling on the ground, on 

 which they form their nests ; they have also the habit of dusting 

 themselves by fluttering on the earth ; they feed on seeds, and 

 rarely on insects ; fly well, run with rapidity, and sing briskly as 

 they rise almost perpendicularly into the air. The moult is annual. 

 Their flesh is esteemed ; and the species are spread almost over the 

 whole globe. 



