130 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis 
they seek other regions. Flocks grow larger through additions 
of adults in August and September and then smaller as migra- 
tion begins. In flight the flocks are comparatively compact but 
they spread widely when the birds alight to feed or pass the 
night. 
B. Habitats. Larks in autumn and winter occupy regions 
essentially like those in which they breed in March and April, 
viz., semi-barren or almost denuded conditions which may be 
natural or due to some seasonal condition of agriculture. 
C. Associates in fall and winter. The Lapland Longspurs and 
the Shore Larks (Otocoris alpestris alpestris) are the only other 
birds which occupy conditions like those in which the Prairie 
Horned Lark occurs in fall and winter. 
D. Food in fall, winter and early spring. Observations of the 
writer indicate that food during these seasons is very largely 
weed seed and waste grain. These are in essential accord with 
the more extensive investigations of MeAtee (1905). 
E. Call notes. Usually ‘‘p-seet’’ when on the ground; in flight 
usually ‘‘p-seet-it’’; when flushed ‘‘zu-weet’’, ‘‘sur-reet’’, ‘“zeet- 
eet-it’’ or ‘‘zeet-it-a-weet’’. 
F, Flights. Short flights: choppy undulation of three or four 
rapid, even strokes, interrupted by space of two wing beats when 
wings are closed; note uttered on the climb of the undulation. 
Prolonged flights. one, two or three long strokes are made wit 
pause of about one wing beat between each stroke with wings 
folded ; then four to six rapid and successive strokes which cause 
a climb; note uttered on the climb. 
IV. Reproduction. 
A. Breeding Habitats. 
1. General. The literature shows a surprisingly large range 
of habitats in which the Prairie Horned Lark has been know? 
to nest. These habitats, resulting in the range of this Lark for 
the most part from agricultural activity or other human agencies, 
are those which most nearly result in barren conditions. Kt 
does not matter that these barrens may be seasonal or otherwise 
very temporary, if they are suitable for the initiation of nesting. 
That bare ground is the determinant is shown by the fact that 
Variations of moisture, soil, elevations and temperature will all 
