Birds of Britain 



SHORE LARK 



Otocorys alpestris (Linnaeus) 



A very different bird is this from the other Larks with 

 which we have been dealing. He is seldom seen in this 

 country, and then only in small numbers and at irregular 

 periods. 



The wide tundras of the North form his home, and there 

 he may be found plentifully, but as the long Arctic day 

 gives way to the cold black night, he reluctantly retires and 

 passes the winter in the temperate portions of the northern 

 hemisphere. In these islands we are just on the fringe of 

 his wanderings, and almost every year a few stragglers put 

 in an appearance on our eastern coast in autumn; their 

 visits are of but short duration, and as a rule they quickly 

 pass away southwards. With very severe weather on the 

 Continent, however, they may appear in some numbers 

 towards midwinter, and at such times remain with us till 

 at the first sign of coming spring they are off again to their 

 dearly loved home in the North. 



General colour above pale sandy brown, tinged with 

 rufous on the back of the head and nape. Forehead and a 

 superciliary stripe white ; a band across the head, lores, 

 cheeks, and a triangular band across the chest, black ; rest 

 of under parts white, inclined to rufous on the breast and 

 flanks. The female is smaller and duller. Length about 

 7 in. ; wing 4'4 in. 



172 



