208 LAND BIRDS 
474e. MEXICAN HORNED LARK. — Otocoris alpestris 
chrysolema. 
Famity: The Larks. 
Length: Male 6.75-7.25 ; female 6.50-7.00. 
Adults: Upper parts reddish, more brownish in female , nape, shoulders, 
and rump light reddish brown, in contrast to back ; breast pure white 
in both sexes. 
Geographical Distribution: Coast district of California and south, to 
Lower California. 
Breeding Range: West of Sierra Nevada from San Diego to Marin 
County. 
Breeding Season: April 15 to June 15. 
Nest : On the ground ; of dried grasses ; similar to that of pallid horned 
lark. 
Eggs: 2 to 4 ; resemble those of the pallid horned lark. Size 0.82 X 0.60. 
474f. RUDDY HORNED LARK. — Olocoris alpestris 
rubea. 
Famity: The Larks. 
Length: Male 6.50-7.00 ; female 6.00-6.50. 
Adults: Similar to the Mexican horned lark, but smaller and brighter 
colored ; hind neck, shoulders, and rump tawny cinnamon ; forehead, . 
superciliary, and throat yellowish ; sides marked with reddish brown. 
Geographical Distribution : California, in Sacramento and San Joaquin 
valleys. 
California Breeding Range : Upper Sacramento valley. 
Breeding Season: May to June 10. 
Nest: Usually placed in a depression on the ground under a small bush, 
a tuft of grass, vines by the side of a clod of earth, or a small rock ; 
sometimes in a cultivated field ; composed of fine straw and grasses ; 
lined with horsehair. 
Eggs: 2to4; pale olive buff, finely sprinkled with rusty gray. Size 
0.82 K 0.54. 
