330 PERCHERS AND SINGERS 



THE HORNED-LARK FAMILY 



Alaudidae 



There is a Lark Family which we regret to say does not 

 include the meadowlark; for this separation of birds bearing 

 the same general name tends to create confusion. In Europe 

 the Lark Family is a very large one, and contains about a 

 hundred species, the most celebrated of which is the unfor- 

 tunate skylark. It is unfortunate because of the wholesale 

 and heartless manner in which it is caught and kept in piti- 

 ful captivity as a "cage bird." In London these wretched 

 little creatures are sold by the thousand, sometimes at six- 

 pence each, or even less. 



Strange to say, in America the Lark Family is repre- 

 sented by only twelve species and subspecies, of which the 

 Horned Lark or Shore Lark 1 is the best type. It is 

 called 'Horned" Lark because of a small, pointed tuft or 

 brush of feathers which lies along the side of the head above 

 the eye, pointing backward and thrusting its tip through the 

 regular outline of the back of the head. The resemblance of 

 these points to horns is quite far-fetched, but it seems to have 

 been brought in to stay. 



This bird looks very much like a small plover. Our 

 eastern species is by habit a shore bird, whence its second 

 name. It comes to us in winter, in flocks of from six to 

 twenty individuals, and at that season its plumage is not so 

 bright and pleasing as in spring. 



The West and Southwest are inhabited by nine sub- 



1 O-toc'o-ris al-pes'tris. Length, 7.50 inches. 



