Open Nests on the Ground 



42Ob. Florida Night-hawk: C. v. chapmani (Coues) 



This bird differs from the preceding in that it is smaller, 

 being little more than 8% inches in length instead of 10 inches, 

 and the lighter markings on the upper parts are more numerous. 



474b. Prairie Horned Lark: Otocoris alpestris prati- 

 cola Hensh. 



Adult $ Forehead and line over eye whitish ; crown black 

 with tufts on either side ; from the eye to the bill, and sides 

 of throat, black ; throat white or very pale yellow ; back 

 salmon brown ; lower parts white or whitish ; breast has a 

 crescent-shaped black patch. 



Adult ? Differing but little from the 3 , the markings being less 

 defined. Length 7.25. 



Breeding Range Upper Mississippi Valley, to eastern New York 

 and western Massachusetts. 



The nest, which is placed on the ground in a slight depres- 

 sion, is made of " dry grasses and corn leaves, lined with a few 

 feathers and horse hairs." 3 to 4 eggs are laid. They are very 

 pale bluish green, or pale olive thickly and evenly speckled with 

 light brownish and lilac. Size .84 x .62. See Fig. 10, Plate B. 



This bird so nearly resembles the horned lark that it may 

 easily be confused with it, unless both kinds be at hand for com- 

 parison. Its smaller size and lighter colour should serve to distin- 

 guish it, and if found nesting, the fact that it breeds within the 

 United States, whilst the horned lark seeks the more northern 

 parts of North America and Europe. Formerly it was not known 

 to breed in the more eastern States, being an inhabitant of the 

 prairies, but since conditions have changed with the advent of 

 civilisation and large tracts of country have been cleared, it 

 has become fairly common in parts of its eastern range. 



Two or three broods are reared during the season, the first 

 nest being built as early as the end of March (in Iowa), and the 

 third as late as the beginning of August. The first nest is said 

 to be elaborately made, while the second and third are put to- 

 gether in a slovenly manner. This may be attributed to the fact 

 that during the earlier part of the season the weather is likely to 

 be bad for ground nests, owing to the frequent rains, thus neces- 



40 



