DESCRIPTIVE LIST 211 



Genus Otocoris (Bonap.) 



The only species of this genus in North America is the Horned Lark. It is 

 pinkish brown or gray above, with a black crescent on the breast and a tuft of 

 lengthened black feathers on either side of occiput. Forehead white or yellow, bor- 

 dered behind by a black bar, which extends on the sides of the crown, and is bor- 

 dered below by a broad superciliary light stripe continuous with the light color of 

 the forehead. In winter the head and breast markings are much obscured by the 

 lighter tips of the feathers and the plumage is less bright. The female is much 

 duller and with the markings less distinct. 



Two of the several subspecies occur with us in winter. 



KEY TO SUBSPECIES 



1. Superciliary stripe more or less yellow or yellowish. Size larger, wing of male averaging 

 more than 4.40 inches, of female more than 4.12. Horned Lark (Otocoris alpestris 

 alpestris). 



1. Superciliary stripe white. Smaller, wing averaging 4.13 in male, 3.84 in female. Prairie 

 Horned Lark (Otocoris alpestris praticola). 



196. Otocoris alpestris alpestris (Linn.}. HORNED LARK. 



Description. See under genus. Average measurements of 26 males from Raleigh: L., 7.00- 

 7.50; W., 4.20-4.60; T., 2.60-2.80. Twenty females measured: L., 6.60-7.25; W., 3.20-4.20; 

 T., 2.20-2.75. 



Range in United States. Northeastern States in winter, irregularly much farther south. 

 Breeds wholly north of the United States. 



Range in North Carolina. Irregularly present in some winters in most parts of the State. 



Fia. 166. HORNED LARK. 



Horned Larks are winter visitors in North Carolina, occurring throughout the 

 State with more or less regularity. Flocks were observed at Raleigh in the winter 

 of 1884-5; and again from December 7, 1886, to January 14, 1887. In 1895 they 

 were common on February 20. At Chapel Hill two were taken by Pearson, Novem- 

 ber 23, 1898, and at Pea Island Bishop took three on February 7 and 8, 1901. 



The Horned Lark, except in the breeding season, always goes in large flocks, and 

 invariably frequents open fields. It is one of the birds which walk rather than hop. 



