PASSERES ALAUDID^E. 125 



"Abundant winter resident" is the term he applies to alpes- 

 triSj the form known to him. After an experience of twelve 

 years in Lorain county I would not consider it more than 

 common. In 1882 it apparently .ranged completely across 

 the state, but now there are no extreme southern records. 

 This, again, may be due to unfamiliarity with the birds. At 

 any rate it is more common north than south. I have sel- 

 dom seen true Horned Larks before the first considerable 

 cold wave which brings snow. This may be late in Novem- 

 ber or not until the second week in January. Most of the 

 Horned Larks have gone north by the middle of March, but 

 individuals sometimes tarry until early May. 



During the winter the Horned Lark is largely a seed 

 eater, and destroys quantities of noxious weeds in embryo. 

 During the period of snow covered landscape he searches 

 out the freshly spread manure, or goes into the pastures 

 where fodder has been scattered, picking up what the cattle 

 have left or uncovered. Flocks of several hundred are not 

 uncommon at such times. 



172. (474b.) OTOCORIS ALPESTRIS PRATICOLA Hensh. 



Prairie Horned Lark. 

 Dwight, Auk, VII, 1890, 145. 



This is the first specific reference. In a general way Hen- 

 shaw covered Ohio in his review in 1884, but made no specific 

 reference to Ohio. This form was not elaborated until two 

 years after Dr. Wheaton had seen his catalogue out of the press, 

 but since he makes no mention of the breeding of the Horned 

 Lark it seems likely that he did not know this form. It is very 

 probable that it invaded the state just after Dr. Wheaton laid 

 down his work. 



O. a. praticola is now the common resident form nearly 

 throughout the state. It is naturally more numerous in the 

 more level northern and western parts than in the rougher 

 south-eastern. Naturally it is confused with alpestris by- 

 many of the Ohio men, particularly those who are familiar 

 with the earlier classification which Dr. Wheaton used. 



In general habits this form agrees with alpestris. During 



