174 Noirrii AMKiacAX juhds. 



l)i()wii : the nn<U»r ])ai'ts trreenisli-wliito, conspicuously streaked with dark 

 brown. Tlie hill is dusky, the hase and edges ]»aler ; t lie legs dusky Hesh- 

 color, nut dark lirown. 



The occurrence of this species in CJreenhind was noticed ir the Review ; 

 and since the ]»uhlication of that work a sj)ecinien lias heen '»l)tained at St. 

 Michael's, in Alaskii, 1)V Mr. W. H. Dall, and is n(»w in t'le Smithsonian 

 collection. The specimen in i|uestinn ai>])ears to l»e tlie trna jutdctisui. 



Habits, This European s])ecies claims a ])lace in the Xortli American 

 fauna on tlie ground of a fdngle specimen having heen found in (Ireenland, 

 in lS4o, and one at St. Michaels, Norton Sound. In the Old World it is 

 the count erjiart of our hnhn iritinu>>, wjiich, in all resj)ects, it closely resem- 

 hles. It is the most common and the best known of Euro})ean Titlarks. In 

 (rreat Initain, where it is found throughout the year, it a})])ears to prefer the 

 uncultivated districts, inhabiting commons and waste lands, and in the more 

 northern ])arts fretpienting the moors. It is also found in meadows and 

 marsh lands, in winter seeking more sheltered places. It is r.irely seen to 

 alight on a branch or to sit on a rail. Its song is soft and musical, and is 

 usually uttered when on the wing or when vibrating over its nest. It seeks 

 its food altogether on the ground, running nimbly in jmrsuit of insects, slugs, 

 and worms. According to Yarrell its nest is built on the ground, generally 

 among the grass. It is conij)Osed externally of dried sedges, lined with finer 

 materials and some hair. The eggs are six in number, of a reddish-brown 

 color, mottled over with darker shades of the same, and measure .80 by .GO 

 of an inch. 



According to the observations of English natundists, this bird reports to 

 various ingenious devices to conceal its nest, or to draw aside attention from 

 it, such as feigning lameness when it is a])proached, and concealing it by 

 artificial covering when it has been once discovered. 



The Mea(h)w I*i]tit is connnon during the summer months in Denmark, 

 Sweden, and Xorwav, visiting also the Faroe Islands and Icelan«l. It in- 

 habits the whole continent of Euroj)e as far south as Spain, Italy, and Sicily. 

 It has also been found in Northern Africa, and, according to (Jould, in West- 

 ern Asia. Temminck also states it to be among the birds of Ja])an. 



According to Degland these larks, after the l)reeding-seas(»n, unite in small 

 flocks, probably families, and fretjuent low and damj) localities. In summer 

 they are more often found on high and dry mountain plains. Their fiesh is 

 said to be delicious. 



Genus NEOCORYS, S( latkr. 



XiiK'orifs, 8< i.ATKi:, Pr. Zoijl. >m)c. Loinl. 1857, 5. (Tv|m', Alando sprtiguii, Ari>.) 



Char. Bill half as long a.<? tlu- hoad : the cnlmen conravo at the base, slightly deeurved 

 at the tij). Rictus without l>iistl«>s. Legs stout; tarsi distinctly scutellate. longer than 

 the middle toe. Hind toe very long. e(|ual to the tarsus, niueh longer than the middle toe; 



