THE LARKS. 8 I 



black, the remainder of the ear-coverts yellowish-white, like the 

 sides of the neck; across the lower throat and fore-neck a 

 broad band of black ; under surface of body white, the sides 

 of the body and thighs vinous, slightly streaked with blackish ; 

 bill black, bluish-white at base of lesser mandible ; feet 

 brownish-black, tinged with grey ; iris reddish-brown. Total 

 length, 6-8 inches ; culmen, 0-55 ; wing, 4-25 ; tail, 2*9 ; tarsus, 

 0-9. 



Adult Female. Forehead yellower than in the male, the black 

 band on the crown not so strongly marked ; hinder crown and 

 nape browner, with less vinous tinge, mottled and streaked 

 with black like the back. 



Range in Great Britain. A visitor in autumn and winter to the 

 eastern coasts, and of pretty regular occurrence ; it has also 

 been noticed on the spring migration. 



Eange outside the British Islands. A strictly northern bird, 

 breeding beyond the limit of forest growth in Northern Europe 

 and Siberia, and migrating south in winter. Also found across 

 the high northern portions of America. 



Habits. Generally noticed in small parties on the sea-shore, 

 where it picks up small molluscs, and feeds on the buds of 

 small plants. In the summer the principal food consists of 

 insects, but in the autumn it lives principally on seeds. Mr. 

 Seebohm says that the Shore- Lark appears to be entirely a 

 ground-bird, and often sings on the ground; but at its breed- 

 ing places it sings incessantly, and mounts into the air like a 

 Sky-Lark. The nest is placed on the ground, generally in some 

 slight hollow. 



Nest. According to Mr. Seebohm, the nest is loosely made 

 of dry grass and stalks, and the inside, which is rather deep, is 

 lined with willow-down or reindeer-hair. 



Eggs. Three to five in number, more generally four. Ground- 

 colour brown, thickly mottled with spots of darker brown 

 distributed over the whole egg, and collecting in a broad ring 

 round the larger end of the latter. This ring is generally very 

 distinct, but is sometimes lighter, and occasionally absent 

 altogether. Axis, 0*9-1-0 inch ; diam., o'6-o'65. , 



I G 



