SHORE-LARK '233 



ing them, however, I made out that they could not be 

 that species, being too small, having a crest on the head, 

 and various other distinctions, by no means characteristic 

 of the American Lark. The man said that the only bird 

 which he thought in any way resembled them was the 

 Girl Bunting ; so I was somewhat curious to find out 

 what these remarkable individuals really were. In my 

 own mind I set them down as being the Shore Lark, if 

 any species of Almida at all; and as my friend kindly 

 offered to get them for me to look at, I did not refuse, 

 and a few days ago called on him again, when he showed 

 me five specimens of Alaiida alpestris, Linn. So I had 

 guessed rightly. There were apparently two adult males, 

 one female, and two immature or young birds ; all, except 

 the latter, in very good condition. There is no doubt as 

 to the fact of the birds being shot in the neighbourhood 

 of Sheerness, as the person who killed them was quite 

 unaware what he had shot, and only skinned them (in 

 not a very scientific manner) because he thought them 

 pretty, uncommon-looking birds. I am not aware if any 

 others were shot in Kent or elsewhere last winter." — 

 G. F. Mathews, July 16, 1861 {Zoologist, 1861, p. 7708). 

 Shore-Lark in Captivity. — " I have in \uy possession 

 a Shore-Lark (Alatida aljjestris), which was taken in a 

 net under the cliff near Dover. With the specimen of 

 Richard's Pipit previously recorded in the Zoologist (S.S., 

 p. 1458) as having been captured near here, it is intended 

 to be added to our collection of Kentish birds. The bird 

 is now to be seen in its cage in lively and healthy con- 

 dition. The food given is canary and hemp seed, which 

 it eats freely and thrives upon. It is a n:ale bird, and I 

 intend, if possible, to keep it alive, in the hope of hearing 

 its song. The markings are very brilliant (see descrip- 



