THE SHORT-TOED LARK, 155 



First lointer mid summer. — Like adults. The juvenile plumage 

 is completely (including A\angs and tail) moulted in Aug.-Sept. 



Measurements and structure. — ^ Aving 92-95 mm., tail 57-59, 

 tarsus 20-21, bill from skull 11-12.5 (12 measured). $ wing 85-94. 

 Primaries : 1st minute and hidden, 3rd longest, 2nd usually equal 

 sometimes 1-2 mm. shorter, 4th 1-2 shorter, 5th 8-13 shorter, 6th 

 15-19 shorter ; 3rd and 4th emarginated outer webs. Secondaries 

 between 7th and 10th primaries, tips fairly square and notched, 

 but longest between 4th and 5th primaries, and tips pointed. 

 In juvenile plumage 1st primary is much larger than in adult 

 being almost equal to longest primary-covert instead of about 

 haK, it is also broader and less pointed ; longest secondary only 

 reaches between 5th and 6th primaries. Tail almost square, very 

 slightly forked. Hind claw almost straight, spike-shaped and 

 longer (often half as long again) than hmd toe. BiU strong and 

 thickish tapering gradually to rather blunt point. Fine rictal and 

 nasal bristles and small bristle-Uke feathers covering nostrils. 



Soft parts.—BiW, upper mandible horn, cutting edges and 

 lower mandible whitish-horn ; legs and feet pale brownish-flesh ; 

 iris brown. 



Characters and allied forms. — Subspecies require careful 

 comparison. For differences of C. h. longij^ennis see under that 

 form. C. b. dukhunensis (India, Mongolia) has darker breast and 

 flanks and darker brown upper-parts, C. b. rubiginosa (southern 

 Algeria, Tunis, Marocco) is paler reddish-sandy colour, C. b. 

 artemisiana (Caucasus) is said to be more greyish. All forms of 

 C. minor are distinguished from those of C. brachydactyla by upper- 

 breast being clearly streaked dark brown and long imier secon- 

 daries shorter, usually not reaching further than 7th primary. 

 Distinguished from other British Larks by small size and unstreaked 

 under-parts. 



Field -characters. — Distinguished by small size from all the 

 other Larks on the British List. At close quarters, light colora- 

 tion of under-parts, and dark patches on each side of upper-breast 

 are characteristic. Haunts barren plains. Song full and loud but 

 rather broken, uttered chiefly on wing but also on ground (F.C.R.J.). 

 Breeding-habits. — Nests in depression of ground, sheltered by 

 thistles, grass, etc. on open plains. Nest. — Built of dead grasses, 

 roots, with hair, bits of wool or down in lining. Eggs. — 3-5 

 variable, but generaUy some shade brownish-yellow in ground ; 

 occasionally bluish ; finely freckled pale brownish- and ashy- 

 grey spots. Some are marbled, others uniform with a dark hair 

 streak, and some have darker zone. Average of 104 eggs, 

 19.6 >: 14.6 mm. Breeding-season, — From mid-April onAvard to 

 June and July. Incubation. — Lasts thirteen days ; probably 

 chiefly by hen, Tavo broods. 



Food. — Chiefly small seeds, also insects. 



