OHIO EXPERIMENT STATION. 



From the rarity of Otocoris alpestris in Indiana and in western Pennsylvania, its- 

 uncommon occurrence in Ohio, except perhaps in the extreme northern portion, may 

 be reasonably inferred. This supposition is borne out by the facts at present available, 

 for the specimen mentioned above is apparently the fourth published record of its 

 unequivocal appearance in the State ; all other mention of this form referring without 

 much doubt to Otocoris alpestris praticola. The previous records are by Dr. J. 

 Dwight Jr., 1 who mentions specimens from Cleveland and Circleville, Ohio; and by 

 Mr. Lynds Jones, 2 who found the species at Oberlin during the winter of 1895-6. 



96. Otocoris alpestris praticola HENSH. 

 Prairie Horned Lark. 



A permanent resident; common during the winter months, but less numerous in 

 summer. It occurs throughout the former season principally in flocks, frequenting 

 chiefly the upland fields or public roads, sometimes associated with the Snowflake 

 (Plectrophenax nivalis}. A flock of 140 Horned Larks was seen on the lowland 

 meadows along Killbuck Creek, April 23, 1893. 



A nest of this subspecies, built as usual upon the ground, and containing two eggs 

 together with two callow young, was observed by W. E. Henderson, near Wooster, in 

 June 1893. A young bird in first plumage was shot by the writer from a flock of five, 

 on June 26, 1891. 



This form of the Horned Lark has for some years heen considered a summer 

 resident throughout the northern portion of Ohio, but definite data from this state are 

 few, although it has been with comparative frequency reported breeding in contiguous 

 portions of Pennsylvania. 3 Aside from the map of its breeding range published by 

 Dr. J. Dwight Jr., 4 the only previous records of its breeding in Ohio appear to be as 

 follows : 



DAVIE, Nests and Eggs of North American Birds, 1889, page 254; young taken 

 in May in northwestern Ohio. 



WHEATON, Geological Survey of Ohio IV, 1882, page 589; said by Mr. Chubb 

 to breed near Cleveland. 



VICKERS, Oologist XII, 1895, P a g e I0 8; a nest containing three young found 

 April 17, 1895, near Ellsworth, Mahoning County, Ohio. 



A male in breeding plumage taken June 26, 1891, and a female in fall dress col- 

 lected October 30, 1890, are paler than typical specimens and very closely resemble 

 corresponding plumages of Otocoris alpestris arenicola from Montana. 



1 Auk VII, 1890, p. 142. 



2 Bulletin of Wilson Ornithological Chapter, No. 7, March 30, 1896. 

 WARREN, Report on Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890, p. 198. 



4 Auk. VII, 1890, map facing p. 158. 



