460 BROWN TITLARK. 



eggs were six in number, five-eighths of an inch long, six and a quarter 

 twelfths in breadth, being rather elongated, though rounded at both 

 ends ; their ground-colour of a deep reddish-chestnut or reddish-brown, 

 considerably darkened by numerous dots of a deeper reddish-brown and 

 lines of various sizes, especially toward the large end. The drawing 

 of an egg supposed to be of this species, sent me by Dr Thomas M. 

 Brewer of Boston, measures seven-eighths of an inch in length, five- 

 eighths in breadth, and is more pointed at the small end than any of 

 those found in Labrador ; its ground-colour is whitish, faintly marked 

 all over with dull reddish-brown dots. It was found in Coventry, in the 

 State of Vermont. 



These Titlarks vary much in colour, having the upper parts in 

 spring almost of a leaden grey, the cheeks and a line over the eye 

 whitish, the lower parts of a beautiful light huff. The claws of those 

 shot in Labrador were shorter than usual, having probably been worn 

 in scratching the mosses and soil in forming a place for the nest, which 

 is well sunk. During the breeding-time the male often rises on wing 

 to the height of eight or ten yards, and emits a few clear and mellow 

 notes, but returns to its consort or alights on the rock with a sudden- 

 ness in keeping with the short duration of its song, which is rarely 

 heard after the eggs are hatched. These birds leave Labrador and 

 Newfoundland as soon as their young are able to fly, which is usually 

 the case about the middle of August. On the 6th of July 1833, in 

 Labrador, I heard this bird singing both on wing and on the ground. 

 When on wing, it sings while flying very irregularly in zigzags up and 

 down ; when on the rocks, it stands erect, and I think produces a 

 louder and clearer song. 



When returning northward in spring, their movements correspond 

 with the advancement of the season, and we found them to increase in 

 ntimber as we proceeded, and to settle in all the favourable places. In 

 the vicinity of Charleston, as well as in that of New Orleans, where 

 this species is very abundant dm^ing winter, it is frequently seen seek- 

 ing for food among the castings of filth of all sorts, in company with 

 the Turkey Buzzards and Carrion Crows, and when disturbed, will 

 alight on the roof of the nearest building, on stakes or fences, as well 

 as walls, and occasionally on the branches of trees. While watching 

 them, I have often observed them vibrating their tail, and thought 



