24 THL MONGOL LARK. 



snowstorms to take refuge in the plains of Northern 

 China, where they may be seen in large packs ; but 

 as soon as the weather moderates they return to 

 their native deserts. Their flight is remarkably 

 rapid, and when in large numbers the whirring 

 sound made by their wings is heard a long way, 

 resembling the noise of an approaching storm. ^ They 

 are very awkward runners on the ground, probably 

 owing to the peculiar formation of their feet, the 

 toes almost growing together, and the sole being 

 covered with a horny substance like the hoof of a 

 camel. 



After their morning meal, the sand-grouse always 

 resort to some spring, well, or salt-lake to drink. 

 Here they will not alight till they have first de- 

 scribed two circles in the air to assure themselves of 

 safety, and after hurriedly satisfying their thirst they 

 fly off again. They will sometimes fly long distances 

 to the water. 



The Mongol lark {^Mcla^iocorypha Mongolica) 

 is only met with occasionally on the desert tract ; its 

 habitat is in the grassy portions of the Gobi, and 

 there in winter it is found by hundreds and thou- 

 sands. Those we saw were mostly in the Southern 

 Gobi ; they are also not uncommon in China, at all 

 events during winter. 



The Mongol lark is the best songster of the 

 Central Asian desert. In his music he rivals his 

 European congener. He has also a remarkable 



' Marco Polo's recollection of this characteristic is condensed into 

 the words ' moult volant.^ — Y. 



