INSESSORES. 



73 



birdcatchers have much contributed to exterminate 

 the species. 



I have heard many people express a difficulty in 

 distinguishing this bird from the Sky Lark, owing 

 to their similarity in colour. When separately 

 viewed, perhaps, this is excusable; but a further 

 acquaintance with the rarer bird, and a close com- 

 parison of the two, will show that they differ in 

 many respects. This may, perhaps, be best shown 

 as follow^s : — 



Sky Laek. 



Entire length, 7 in. 3 lines. 

 Bill, stout. 



No line over the eye. 



Ear-coverts light-brown, with 

 dark brown tips. 



Crest-feathers short. 



Spots on breast, on a brown- 

 ish white ground, look 

 confused and indistinct. 



Abdomen, dirty white. 



Tail, 2 in. 9 lines ; feathers 

 long and lanceolate, giving 

 the tail a forked appear- 

 ance when half closed ; 

 outer web of outside tail- 

 feather wh;te. 



Wood Lark. 



Entire length, 6 in. 3 lines. 



Bill, same length but more 

 slender. 



Yellowish white line over 

 the eye, extending to the 

 occiput. 



Ear-coverts dark brown, with 

 black tips. 



Crest-feathers long. 



Spots on breast on a lighter 

 ground, and more distinct, 

 resembling the Pipits. 



Abdomen, purer white. 



Tail 2 in. 2 Imes ; feathers 

 short and ovate, giving 

 tail square appearance 

 when half closed ; outer 

 web of outside tail-feather 

 brownish black, with very 

 narrow white margin. 



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