374 HISTORY OF THE 



flake and Longspur, in their search for fallen seeds from weeds 

 and grasses, of which their food chiefly consists, except during 

 the breeding season, when they prove to be expert insect catch- 

 ers, on the wing as well as in a running chase. During the 

 early part of the breeding season the males are quite gallant; 

 and move about with a proud step and graceful nod of the head, 

 and when they are ready to burst forth in song they are so in- 

 flated with joy that the earth will not hold them, and their low, 

 twittering notes (rather unmusical to us, but no doubt charming 

 to the female of their choice) are uttered *on expanded wings as 

 they soar upward. They are not shy birds, and when approached 

 squat close to the ground and remain motionless until flushed, 

 when they rise, one after the other, with a sharp note, circle 

 around for a short time, and then drop back near the starting 

 point. 



Their nests are placed in a depression in the ground, usually 

 under a tuft of grass and often in very exposed situations. They 

 are loosely made of bits of old grasses, and occasionally lined 

 with hairs. Eggs four or five, .85x. 62; grayish to light green- 

 ish drab, thickly speckled and spotted with lavender to olive 

 brown; in form, ovate. 



Otocoris alpestris arenicola HENSH. 



DESERT HORNED LARK. 

 PLATE XXIV. 



Resident in the western to middle portion of the State; com- 

 mon; abundant during the winter. Begin laying early in April. 



B. . R. . C. . G. , 182. U. 474c. 



HABITAT. Region of the Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, and 

 the great basin; north into the British possessions; south to 

 about latitude 34. 



SP. CHAR. Jtfafe: Crown, nape, rump, lesser wiug coverts and sides of body 

 pale vinaceous, feathers of middle back dark brown centrally, darker towards 

 the rump, not however, taking the form of distinct streaks. Exterior surface 

 of wing near shoulder very pale cinnamon. A broad crescent of black from 

 forehead to behind the eyes, bordered by white below. Malar and pectoral 

 patch black; below white; tail black, except the two middle feathers, which are 

 dark brown edged with pale cinnamon; outer tail feathers edged with white; 

 throat pale yellow. Female: General colors similar. Feathers of occiput dark 

 brown medially, like the back; throat showing lines only of yellow. (Henshaw.) 



