LARK 



511 



leaving an open space between them. The hind claw, generally 

 greatly elongated in Larks, as exemplified in Alauda and Calendula, 



Calandrella brachydactvla. 



is in Calandrella and some other genera reduced to a very moderate 

 size. The wings exhibit almost every modification, from the almost 



Calendula. (After Swainson.) 



entire abortion of the so-called " first " primary in Alauda to its 

 considerable development in Mirafra, and from tertials and scapulars 

 of ordinary length to the extreme elongation found in the Motacillidai 



MiEAFRA. (After Swainson.) - 



and almost in certain lAmicolse. The most constant character indeed 

 of the Alaudidx would .seem to be that afforded by the podoiheca or 

 covering of the tarsus, which is scutellate behind as well as in front, 

 but a character easily overlooked.^ 



In the Old AVorld Larks are found in most parts of the 

 Palsearctic area as well as in the Ethiopian and Indian Regions ; 

 but only one species, Mirafra horsfieldi, inhabits Australia, and 

 thare is no true Lark indigenous to New Zealand. In the New 

 World there is also only one genus, Otocorys," one species of which, 

 found over nearly the whole of North America, is certainly not 

 distinguishable from the Shore-Lark of Europe and Asia, 0. alpestris; 



^ By assigning far too great au importance to this superficial character (in 

 comparison witli others), Sundevall {Tcntamen, pp. 53-63) M'as induced to array 

 the Larks, Hoopoes, and several other heterogeneous groups in one "Series," to 

 which he applied the name of Scutelliplantares (see Introduction). 



^ Bj' American writers it is usually called Eremopliila, hut that name is pre- 

 occupieil in natural history. Its osteology is minutely described by Dr. Shufeldt 

 {Bull. U.S. Geol. Survey, vi. pp. 119-147). 



