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 THE PRAIRIE TITLARK. 



AnTHUS PIFIENS. 

 PLATE LXXX. Male. 



I SHOT two of these birds whilst traversing one of the extensive prairies 

 of our North-western States. Five of them had been running along the 

 foot-path before me, for some time. I at first looked upon them as of 

 the Common Brown Titlark species {Anthus Spinoletta), but as they rose 

 on the wing, the difference of their notes struck me, and, sliooting at them, 

 I had the good fortune to kill two, which I discovered, on examination, 

 to be of a new and distinct species, although in the general appearance 

 of their plumage they were very nearly allied to the Brown Titlark. The 

 rest I pursued in vain, and was forced to abandon the chase on account 

 of the approach of night, and the necessity of preparing for rest after a 

 long walk. 



The flight of the Prairie Titlark is irregular, and performed by jerks, 

 although greatly protracted, when the bird is pursued or frightened. At 

 short intervals these birds plunged through the air, came towards the 

 ground, and flew close over the prairie, as if about to alight, and again 

 rising, made a large circuit. In this manner they continued all the time 

 I saw them on wing. Whilst on the ground they ran briskly, vibrating 

 their tail, whenever they stopped, and picking up the insects near them. 

 The notes of the Prairie Titlark are clear and sharp, consisting of a 

 number of tweets, the last greatly prolonged. The two individuals which I 

 procured proved to be males. They seemed to be in imperfect plumage, 

 it being then the month of October, and the crescent on their breast not 

 being so distinctly defined at the surface, as it was deeper among the 

 feathers. Of their mode of nestling, and other habits, I can say nothing, 

 as I never happened to meet with another individual of the species. 



AnTHUS PiriENS. 



Male. Plate LXXX. 

 ' Bill straight, slender, compressed, acuminate ; upper mandible cari- 

 nated at the base, rounded on the sides, the edges inflected towards the 



