Horned Larks in the Province of Quebec 135 



over the entire shell, with a slight tendency to form a wreath 

 at the larger end. 



Absence of blotches and the pale-coloured pigment produce 

 a delicate appearance — a fragile looking egg indeed, to be 

 found amidst banks of snow. 



\'ariation in shape and size is considerable. The largest 

 set examined averaged .92x.6.5 of an inch ; the smallest, 

 .78x.57 ; while the average size of ten sets was .85x.61. 



The largest and smallest individual eggs were .96x.66 and 

 .76X.57. 



One w^ould think that the Lark, nesting so early in the sea- 

 son, would sit very closely, but apparently such is not the 

 case. It is the exception to even see the bird leave its nest, 

 and during the early stages of incubation it will remain at 

 a distance, -as long as there is a human being in the vicinity. 



On a few occasions I have flushed a sitting bird when 

 within a few feet of her, and at other times, particularly 

 wdien incubation was advanced, I have seen them leave at 

 distances varying up to 150 yards. On all occasions the de- 

 parture was similar, a quick bound into the air, directly from 

 the nest, when the bird would go dipping away and alight 

 at some distance. When flushed from its nest or from the 

 vicinity it is not always easy to distinguish the Lark from the 

 Vesper Sparrow, unless you see it leave the nest. It invar- 

 iably flies away in silence, contrary to its usual custom. How- 

 ever if you watch the bird as it skims the surface of the soil 

 in prolonged undulations, its larger size and the fact that it 

 generally alights on the ground and stands erect to peer at 

 the intruder, will usually serve to identify it. 



When the Larks are at all vociferous you may take it for 

 granted that the nest, if there is one, is at some distance. 



I have frequently attempted to watch a bird return to its 

 nest, but with the excepion of a few instances, decided that 

 I was not a man of leisure. Occasionally the bird is pro- 

 voked into disclosing the nesting site. On April 16. 1905, 

 during a sudden snow flurry, a Lark passed over my head, 

 quickly veered toward the ground and vanished ! Approach- 



