292 DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



are not referable to hoyti. B. H. Wilson lists alpestris as a "toler- 

 ably common winter resident" in Scott county and M. P. Somes as 

 " few " in Webster county. 



205. (474a). Otocoris alpestris praticolaYi&\s\\. Prairie Horned 



Ivark. 



The Prairie Horned Lark is a common resident on prairies and 

 fields throughout the state. The species is more or less migra- 

 tory, and while a few birds may remain through the winter in the 

 northern parts of the state, they are less numerous in the dead of 

 winter. Large flocks usually appear in February. In Winne- 

 bago county the first set of eggs is generally completed by the 

 first of April, although eggs are occasionally found in March. In 

 southern and central Iowa the bird frequently breeds by the mid- 

 dle of March. These early nests are often covered by deep snows. 



The early nests are almost invariably placed in pastures, on the 

 ground upon a grass\^ knoll, while the second nest of the season 

 is nearly always placed in a cornfield beside a hill of growing 

 corn. Large numbers of nests are annually destroyed b}' the corn 

 cultivator. C. R. Ball states that three broods are raised in a 

 season, the finding of fresh eggs as late as July 15th being not 

 uncommon in Lyon county (Iowa Orn., i, 2, 1895, 32-34). The 

 female bird is a close sitter, and the nest may be almost stepped 

 on before she will fly. The eggs number three to six. 



In the springtime the Prairie Horned Larks are often seen 

 perched on a fence post or a little rise of ground, uttering a low 

 but pleasing song of a few notes. Occasionally in early spring 

 the song is heard while the bird ascends high in the air by little 

 short flights, then soars down to the ground with a long sweep. 

 The birds show little fear of persons or animals, and in northern 

 Iowa is the species which probably is most commonly included 

 under the vague but comprehensive name of "ground-bird." 



The Prairie Horned Lark is a .species which has changed its 

 range very much since the settlement of the United States. As 

 the country has been cleared and the forests removed it has ex- 

 tended its range from the Mississippi Valley to New York and 

 even to New England. 



206. (474k). Otocoris alpestris hoyti Bishop. Hoyt Horned Lark. 

 This large pale variety ranges "in summer, British America 



