166 ALAUDA ARVENSIS. 



from flexure 4i§ ; tail 8; bill along the ridge ^^^ along the 

 edge of the lower mandible -^^ ; tarsus 1 ; first toe ^^, its claw 

 1; second toe -^^^ its claw /^ ; third toe -^^^ its claw ^^ ; 

 fourth toe 4^ twelfths, its claw 2A twelfths. 



Female. — The female differs so little from the male in 

 colour, that the same description answers for both. The oeso- 

 phagus of an individual was three inches long, and on an 

 average a twelfth and a half in diameter. The stomach ten 

 twelfths long ; the intestine eleven inches and a half, without 

 remarkable dilatation, but gradually diminishing from two 

 twelfths to one and a half; the coeca cylindrical, a twelfth 

 and a half long. The foeces can readily be squeezed into 

 them, but it is probable that they do not naturally enter, as I 

 have always found them filled with mucus only, and of a pure 

 flesh colour. The females are a little smaller, somewhat more 

 slender, and in a faint degree less deeply coloured ; the feathers 

 of the head are also less elongated ; but the differences are so 

 slight that I am unable to distinguish a male from a female by 

 any external character. 



Length to end of tail 6|§ inches ; extent of wings 13 ; wing 

 from flexure 4^^g ; tail 2j'^ ; bill along the ridge ^, along the 

 edge of lower mandible /^ ; tarsus \\ :, first toe /g, its claw 

 i\ ; second toe /g, its claw ^\ ; third toe 7i twelfths, its claw 

 Si twelfths ; fourth toe 1^2, its claw 2^ twelfths. 



Variations. — In adult individuals the differences in colour 

 are not generally remarkable. In some extremely rare cases 

 the plumage is patched with white, or of a nearly uniform 

 cream-colour, or even pure white. An instance of the latter 

 kind has come under the observation of Mr Weir, who informs 

 me that " during the months of August and September 1835, 

 a most beautiful pure white lark frequented the farm of Tailend 

 belonging to Colonel S. Norvall, Esq. of Boghall. It disap- 

 peared about the end of October. Melanism also occurs, but 

 only, I believe, in caged birds. 



Habits. — There is perhaps none of our native birds that 



