272 INSESSORES. ALAUDA. 



Subfamily ALAUDINA. 



From the Pipits (genus Anthus) belonging to the family 

 Sylviad(£ of the Dentirostral tribe, we pass by an easy grada- 

 tion, and a marked affinity to the true Larks (genus Alauda), 

 which, from their habits and structure, become a constituent 

 group of the Fringillidae, and the typical representatives of 

 the present subfamily. Associated with them are the 

 thicker billed Larks, which lead the way to the genus Plectro- 

 pJianes (Meyer), typified by Emberiza nivalis (of authors), 

 in which the bill assumes nearly the form of that of the true 

 Buntings, which latter birds again conduct us by minute 

 gradations of form and character to the Finches, or succeed- 

 ing subfamily Fringillina. 



Genus ALAUDA, Linn. LARK. 



GENERIC CHARACTERS. 



Bill subconic, short, having the mandibles of equal length, 

 and the upper one slightly convex. Nostrils basal, lateral, 

 and oval, partly concealed by small reflected feathers. Feet, 

 with three toes before, and one behind ; the anterior ones 

 being entirely divided ; and the claw of the hind toe much 

 produced, and nearly straight. Wings, with the first quill 

 very short, or wanting, and the third the longest. Tertials, 

 in most instances, shorter than the quills. Coronal feathers 

 generally produced, and capable of being erected. 



The members of this genus are inhabitants of the open 

 fields, or plains. Their food principally consists of grain and 

 different seeds, but they do not refuse the occasional supply 

 of worms or other insects. Their progressive motion is by 

 walking or running ; and they are amongst the birds that 

 have been styled Pulverators, which delight in rolling them- 



