56 THE BIRDS OF DEVONSHIRE. 



Family Alaudid^. 

 SKY LARK, — Alauda arvensis, Linn. 



A PLENTIFUL resident, of general distribution, large 

 flocks visiting" us in autumn and winter. A buff 

 variety, obtained at Hoopern, is in Exeter Museum, 

 and albinos are procured. 



WOOD LARK. — Alauda arlorea, Liun. 



A LOCAL resident, fairly represented near Kings- 

 bridge, Kingskerswell, Plymouth, Exeter, and some 

 other localities, but much persecuted by birdcatchers, 

 and uncommon in North Devon ; on the whole a 

 scarce bird. Mr. Gatcombe generally observed a 

 few pairs in spring, and in autumn met with a few 

 parties of young birds in the same fields. Some 

 times he remarked individual Woodlarks *' perched 

 for a length of time on telegraph wires, the long 

 spurs sticking out from the hinder toes producing 

 rather a singular efPect" (Zool. 1872. p. 3258). 



SHORE LARK. — Otocorys alpestris (Linn). 



A RARE winter visitant. A single bird was shot at 

 Northam Burrows, January 2nd, 1875, (Zool. 1875. 

 p. 4337). Another shot on Dawlish Warren, is 

 preserved in the Exeter Museum. 



