92 FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



black across the upper part, turning 1 in the winter to a 

 dusky-brown ; the lower part of the breast dull white, 

 and towards the sides reddish-brown. Winj*s dark- 



o 



brown with markings of reddish-brown and white. Tail 

 black, the outer feather on each side being- partly white, 

 upper tail-coverts brown ; lower ones, dull white. The 

 legs, toes, and claws are bluish-black ; the hind claw is 

 longer than the toe, and very nearly straight. 



The female is not quite so large as the male. The streak 

 over the eye is pale yellow ; the band across the breast 

 is brownish-black fringed with yellow, and the marking 

 of the plumage generally is not so bright or well defined. 



The song of the Shore Lark is variable and short, but 

 sweet in tone, and usually uttered when the bird is flying. 

 The bird is not at all difficult to keep in confinement, as 

 a specimen that was caught near Brighton some time ago 

 was placed in an aviary and lived there for more than live 

 vears. 





