PASSERIN®. 291 
Poparcus, Cuv. 
The form, colour, and habits of the Goatsuckers; but the beak is 
stouter, and there are neither membranes between the toes, nor is 
the middle nail dentated.(1) 
P. Cuvieri; P. cendré; Vieill. Galer. 123. Variegated with 
ash, whitish and blackish colours; size of a Rook. 
P, javanensis, Horsf. Jav. Red, varied with brown; a white 
band along the scapulars. : 
P. cornutus, T., Col. 159. Red, varied with white; large 
tufts of feathers at the ears. 
FAMILY III. 
CONIROSTRES. 
The Conirostres comprehend genera with a strong beak, 
more or less conical, and unemarginate; the stronger and 
thicker their beak, the more exclusively is grain their food. 
The first genus to be distinguished is, 
AvaAupa, Lin. 
The Larks are known by the nail of their thumb, which is straight, 
strong, and much longer than the others.(2) They are granivorous 
birds, and pulverators. They build on the ground, and generally 
keep there. 
The beak of the greatér number is straight, moderately stout and 
pointed. 
Al. arvensis ; Alouette des champs, Enl. 368, 1; Naum. 100, 
1. (The Sky Lark.) Universally known by its perpendicular 
mode of soaring, accompanied by its varied and powerful song. 
It is brown above; whitish underneath; spotted throughout, 
with a deeper shade of brown; the two external quills of the 
tail white outside. 
Al. cristata; Le Cochevis, Enl. 503, 1; Naum. 99, 1. (The 
Crested Lark.) Nearly the same size and plumage; but it has 
the power of erecting the feathers on the head into a tuft; not 
(1) M. Vigors considers this subgenus as connecting Caprimulgus with Ulula. 
(2) This character is more or less marked in Bupyres, Anaupa, ANTuUS, and 
in the Emberiza nivalis. 
