( 95) 



During autumn this species is found in small flocks in the 

 ploughed fields and open plains ; on the ground it has a rapid 

 movement ; when alarmed, it takes wing, mounts high in the air, 

 whirls around, and descends with considerable velocity. On the 

 approach of spring it retires to the Fur countries, where it is said 

 to breed. 



FAMILY ALAUDINiE, 



LARKS. 



GENUS ALAUDA— LINN. 



LARK. 



[Bill rather short, robust, straigh;, conic, acute — the upper mandible project- 

 ing beyond the lower ; head rather large, neck short, body full ; wings of mod- 

 erate length ; tail generally emarginate, of twelve feathers ; tarsi compressed — 

 longer than the middle toes ; feet and toes rather stout ; hind toe furnished with 

 a long claw, which is nearly straight, tapering, and acute.] 



ALAUDA ALPESTRIS— LINN. 



SHORE LARK. 



Shore Lark, Alauda cornuta, VVils. Amer. Orn. 



Alauda aipestris, Bonap. Syn. 



Horned or Shore Lark, Alauda cornuta, Sw. & Rich. 



Shore Lark, Nott. Man. 



Shore Lark, Alauda aipestris, Aud. Orn. Biog. 



Specific Character — Head slightly crested ; hind claw half an 

 inch long, nearly straight ; outer webs of the outer feathers, and 

 their tips white ; the rest more slightly tipped with duller white. 

 Adult male with a band on the forehead, continuing behind the eye, 

 which, with the throat and sides of the neck, are pale yellow; a 

 broad black patch on the lower neck ; a black band from the base 



