iSS-t-l IIiiNSllAW on the North Aincn'can Shore Larha. zG'l 



witliin one side or the other of the line. Below are appended 

 brief comparative diagnoses of the above-mentioned forms, 

 together with descriptions of snch of them as have received new 

 names. 



It may be premised that it has been found ver)' difficult to give 

 in a few set words the dirtcrcnces of coloration that actually exist 

 between the several races. The only satisfactory way of identi- 

 fying birds so closely related as the Horned Larks is by a direct 

 comparison of specimens. 



Comparative Diagnoses.* 



- O. alpestris. — -Size large; wing, 4.44; tail, 3.02; bill, .91 ; tarsus. .50. 

 (Average of 19 males.) Nape, lesser wing-coverts, rump, etc., deep vina- 

 ceous. Habitat, Northeastern North America, Labrador, Greenland. 



O. alpestris praticola. — Size smaller; wing, 4.17; tail, 2.93; bill, .83: 

 tarsus, .46. (Average of 19 males.) Nape, lesser wing-coverts, rump, 

 etc., pale vinaceous; back dead graj', in contrast; whole aspect generally 

 paler than in true alpestris. Habitat, Upper Mississippi Valley and 

 region of Great Lakes. 



O. alpestris leucolasma. — Size about as in alpestris; wing, 4.39; tail, 

 2.96; bill, .89; tarsus, .49. (Average of 12 males.) Chief character, pal- 

 lor; nape, lesser wing-coverts, rump, etc.. very pale vinaceous; back gray 

 in contrast. Throat white or with but faint trace of yellow. Colors are 

 still paler in fall ; occasionally at this season there is some yellow on the 

 throat. Habitat, British America and Alaska; Western United States 

 only in winter. 



O. alpestris arenicola. — Size smaller than Iciicolcema ; wing, 4.27; tail, 

 3.35: bill, .84; tarsus, .48. (Average of 16 males.) The colors similar to 

 the last, but throat always decidedly yellow. Fall specimens are brighter, 

 with more yellow on the throat and forehead. Habitat. Great Basin of 

 United States and Rocky mountains. 



O. alpestris giraudi. — Wing, 3.78; tail, 2.57; bill, .80; tarsus, .43. 

 (Average of 9 males.) General color above brownish gray; streaks of 

 back very indistinct; yellow of throat bright; breast unusually pale 

 yellow. Habitat, Eastern and Southeastern Texas. 



O. alpestris chrysolasma. — Wing, 3.98; tail, 2.91; bill, .83; tarsus, 

 .46. (Average of 4 males.; Much deeper in color than arenicola. Nape, 

 etc., deep pinkish rufous; throat deep yellow, but breast always white. 

 Habitat, Mexico, possibly across the border into Southern Arizona and 

 New Mexico. 



O. alpestris rubeus. — Wing, 3.51; tail, 2.71; bill, .77; tarsus, .45. 

 (Average of 11 males.) General color above, deep cinnamon or ferrugi- 

 nous; throat bright yellow; streaks on dorsum nearly obsolete. Habitat, 

 California. 



* The color descriptions are based on males in breeding plumage. 



