254 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



breed abundantly in Newfoundland and Labrador. It also inhabits 

 northern portions of the Old World. The common name is derived 

 from the tufts of black feathers over each ear, which at will the bird 

 has the power of erecting like the so-called " horns" of some owls. 



In the Eastern States, during the winter months, flocks varying 

 in size from a dozen to those of a hundred or more, may be seen fre- 

 quenting open plains, old fields, dry shores of bays, and the banks of 

 rivers. As there are a number of geographical varieties of the Horned 

 Lark, the greatest uncertainty has always attended their identification, 

 even by experts, and the breeding and winter ranges of the various 

 sub-species do not yet seem to be clearly defined. 



This was the species found by Audubon breeding on the low, 

 mossy and sheltered hills along the dreary coast of Labrador. In the 

 midst of the mosses and lichens that covered the rocks the bird im- 

 bedded its nest, which is composed of fine grasses, arranged in a circu- 

 lar form and lined with the feathers of grouse and other birds. The 

 eggs, deposited early in July, are four or five in number, and are de- 

 scribed by Audubon as marked with bluish as well as brown spots. 

 European eggs are grayish-white, spotted with brownish-lavender or 



lilac-gray. 



4740. Otocoris alpestris leucolsema (COUES) [3000.] 



Pallid Horned Lark. 



Hab. Northwestern North America; in winter south over the more northern Great Plains and Great 

 Basin of the United States to Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, etc. 



This paler northwestern form of the Shore Lark breeds from 

 Alaska southward, east of the Rocky Mountains, nearly to the United 

 States boundary. The nest is built in a depression of the ground, and 

 sunk a little below the surface, usually under a tuft of grass ; it is well 

 cupped and woven in a circular form of old grasses, lined with hairs. 

 The eggs are three or four, grayish or pale olive, finely and thickly 

 sprinkled with olive-brown. Average size .91 x .65. 



474. Otocoris alpestris praticola HENSH. 



Prairie Horned Lark. 



Hab. Upper Mississippi Valley and region of the Great Lakes; east locally to New York; south, in 

 winter, to Virginia and Northeastern Texas. 



The birds of this race may be distinguished from the typical alpes- 

 tris by their smaller size and paler colors. In the northern half of the 

 Mississippi Valley it breeds abundantly, and as far south as Eastern 

 Kansas, where Col. Goss notes it as common and abundant. It begins 

 laying the last of March. The Prairie Horned Lark breeds commonly 

 in Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. It 

 doubtless breeds, though sparingly, in Northwestern Ohio, as young 

 birds have been taken in that section in May. 



