139 



Breeds on stony plains, nesting generally at the foot of a plant of 

 HeliantJiemum, during the second half of April. The nest is neatly built 

 of stems and grasses, lined with plant down and even bits of linen, and 

 is frequently surrounded by small stones. Eggs 2 — 3 in number, averaging 

 according to Konig (16), 21.3X15.1 mm., and weighing 160 mg. The 

 ground colour varies from creamy to bluish white, Avith fine speckles and 

 a few spots of brick colour, and underlying grey markings. 



[In the Maroccan Atlas another race, E. alpestris atlas (Whit.) is 

 found, Avhich has not occurred in Europe.] 



c. Brandt's Shore Lark, E. alpestris braudti (Dress.). 



Otocorys hrandti Dress. Dresser, Birds of Europe, IV, p. 402; id. 

 Man. Pal. Birds, p. 380. E. alpestris hrandti (Dress.). Hartert, Yog. Pal. 

 Fauna, p. 257. 



Breeding Range: Kirghis Steppes to Dauria. 



A clutch of 3 eggs in the British Museum, taken by Mr. St. G. Little- 

 dale on the Altai range, averages in size, 21.8x15.6 mm. Breeds on the 

 steppe as well as in the mountains, laying in May. 



d. Caucasian Slidre Lark, E. alpestris penicillata (Gould). 



Otocorys penicillata (Gould). Dresser, Birds of Europe, IV, p. 395 

 and Man. Pal. Birds, p. 381 (part.). E. alpestris penicillata (Gould). Hartert, 

 Vog. Pal. Fauna, p. 261. 



Breeding Range: Caucasus and Taurus ranges up to 14000 ft. 



Radde describes the nest as flatfish, and built of grasses, lined with 

 sheep's wool. Eggs 4 — 5; thickly spotted with reddish brown on a greenish 

 yellow ground. They are slightly larger than those of the arctic race, 

 5 eggs in the British Museum averaging 23.26 x 17.04 mm. 



e. Balkan Shore Lark, E. alpestris balcaiiiea (Relinw.). 



Eggs: Reiser, Orn. Bale. U, Taf. Ill, fig. b, c. 



Otocorys penicillata (Gould). Dresser, Birds of Europe, IV, p. 395 

 and Man. Pal. Birds, p. 381 (part.). E. alpestiis halcanica (Rchnw.). Hartert, 

 Vog. Pal. Fauna, p. 262. 



Breeding Range: The higher mountains of the Balkan peninsula. 



In all probability breeds on all the higher mountains of the peninsula. 

 Reiser met with nesting pairs on the Vran planina in Bosnia, the Crna 

 and Sinjavina planinas in Montenegro, and found nests on the Strigel and 

 Baba planinas in the Etropol Balkan, where it was not uncommon. It 

 has also been observed at various points in the Trojan Balkan, the Rhodope 

 Dagh, and on the Stara planina (Servian border). In Greece it has only 

 been recorded from the Korax and Kiona. The nests were larger and 



