126 MEMOIRS OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB 



igS [474] Otocoris alpestris alpestris (Linn.). 



Horned Lark; Shore Lark. 



Winter visitor, abundant in the autumn and early winter, not uncommon in 

 late winter; common in spring. September 28 to April 10. 



During the winter of 1918-19 which was an exceptionally mild one following 

 one of unusual severity, this bird was found in greatly reduced numbers. 



The courtship and flight song of this bird I have never observed in Essex 

 County but I am very familiar with it from my studies in Labrador.^ It is very 

 similar to that of the Prairie florned Lark which can now be observed in Essex 

 County. On the breeding-grounds the " horns " in the males can be easily seen. 

 They project backward and do not turn forward as they are sometimes portrayed. 



The tracks of the Horned Lark in sand or snow may be distinguished from 

 those of the Snow Bunting by the longer hind toe and the longer stride. The 

 Bunting takes shorter steps and not infrequently hops, which the Lark rarely or 

 never does. 



199 [474b] Otocoris alpestris praticola Hensh. 



Prairie Horned Lark. 



Not uncommon transient visitor and summer resident locally. March 19 to 

 November 9. 



This bird breeds regularly at Great Neck, Ipswich. It is a lover of golf-links 

 country and probably breeds on some of the golf-links of the County. The young, 

 beautifully spotted with yellow above and striped on the breast, may occasionally 

 be seen. 



The courtship song of this bird appears to be identical with that of the 

 Horned Lark. 



200 [477] Cyanocitta cristata cristata (Linn.). 



Blue Jay. 

 Common permanent resident. 



Eggs: May 24 to June 15. 



^ Townsend, C. W. Along the Labrador Coast, pp. 54, 55, 1907. 



