172 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



in immense numbers over the whole length and breadth of North America. 

 Gambel met them in large numbers in New Mexico and California ; liich- 

 ardson found them on the plains of the Saskatchewan ; it is abundant in 

 the Arctic regions from May to October, and is equally common on the 

 coast of Labrador ; Mr. Dall found it universal from British Columbia north. 

 It is also I'ound in Florida, Cape St. Lucas, Mexico, and Central America. 

 Accidental specimens have occurred in Europe. 



This lark is a bird of easy and beautiful flight, passing and rei)assiiig 

 through the air with graceful evolutions, and when moving to new localities, 

 sweeping over the place several times before alighting. It also moves 

 rapidly on the ground and after the manner of the true larks, jerking the 

 tail like our Water-Thrushes and the European Wagtails. 



When feeding on the open ground in tlie interior, their food is chiefly in- 

 sects and small seeds. On the banks of rivers and on the seashore they are 

 fond of running along the edge of the water, searching among the drift for 

 insects, small shells, and crustaceans. Near New Orleans and Charleston, in 

 the winter, Mr. Audubon found them feeding, in company with the Turkey 

 Buzzard, upon garbage. 



Dr. Coues found the Titlark abundant in every locality visited by liim in 

 Labrador, giving him an ample opportunity to observe its habits during the 

 breeding-season. He found them on some of the most rocky and barren 

 islands along the coast. They frecjuented only the open, bare, and ex]X)se(l 

 situations, such as that coast everywhere afl'orded, and were never found in 

 wooded localities. The nests of this species found liy him were identical in 

 situation, form, and construction, placed on the sides of steep, preci])it()us 

 chasms, in small cavities in the earth, into which dry moss had been intro- 

 duced to keep the nest from the damp ground. They were composed entirely 

 of coarse, dry grasses loosely put together, without any lining. Their exter- 

 nal diameter was six inches, and the depth of the cavity two inches. 



Dr. Coues describes the song of the male bird as very sweet and pleasant. 

 Mr. Audubon speaks of it as consisting of a few clear and mellow notes 

 when on the wing, and when standing erect on the rocks it produces a clearer 

 and louder song. 



Dr. Coues speaks of their flight as undulating and unsteady, and never pro- 

 tracted to any great distance. They never aliglit on bushes, but always on 

 the ground, where tliey run with great ease and rapidity. At low tides they 

 resorted to the muddy flats, where they ran al)out upon the eel-grass, search- 

 ing for their food in company with the small Sandpipers and in a similar 

 manner, finding there an abundance of food. At all times they exhibited a 

 heedless familiarity and an entire want of fear of man, feeding unconcern- 

 edly around the doors of the houses, and searching for their insect Ibod on 

 the roofs of the sheds and dwellings. 



Both birds incubate and sit so closely that they may almost be trodden 

 upon before tliey are willing to leave their nest, and e^'en then only flutter 



