SHORE LARKS. 



309 



Siib-Faviily I. 

 THE SHORE LARKS. THINOCORIN^.* 



General Characteristics.— Bill short, rather slender, broad at the base, and com- 

 pressed on the sides ; the nostrils basal, lateral, and exposed, with the opening 

 lunate and mostly closed by a horny membrane, which is covered by short feathers. 



The Shore Larks inhabit South Africa and South America, 

 spreading over at least twenty-three degrees of latitude. They 

 are found in elevated valley.s, mountainous districts, and inland 



^^...^^ 



Shore Lakk (Attagis Latnillii) 



plains, always preferring the most desolate places. They are seen 

 in pairs, or in small coveys of five or six, and sometimes during 

 the winter in flocks, consisting of many individuals. These birds 

 frequent the same place for a long time. When flushed, they 

 take a rapid and circular flight, often returning to the spot whence 

 they arose ; but if suddenly alarmed, they lie close to the ground, 

 from which they can scarcely be distinguished. Their food con- 



* Qlv, Oivos, thin, thinos, t/u shore; Kopio, coreo, to riveep: sweeping over the shore. 



