398 



4 



plumage, from the Kirghis steppes, in Mr. Swinhoe's collection. Another specimen, a female, 

 from the same locality and collection, probably in winter-plumage, has the upper parts rather 

 darker, the dark centres to the feathers much more fully developed ; the white on the forehead 

 and the black on the fore part of the crown is obscured by light-brown tips to the feathers ; and 

 the black on the sides of the head and on the sides of the breast is to a slight extent similarly 

 obscured ; the underparts are duller and not so pure white as in the male. 



This species appears to be very local ; it inhabits the Kirghis steppes, and is probably 

 restricted to the steppes of Southern Russia. It bears to 0. alpestris the same relation as 

 Calandrella lencophcea, Severtz. (which likewise inhabits the Kirghis steppes), does to Calandrella 

 hrachydactyla of Southern Europe. Like the Short-toed and Crested Larks, the Shore-Larks 

 from different localities are subject to considerable variation in coloration of plumage as well as 

 in size ; and in my article on Otocorys bilopha a general review of all known forms, with all the 

 details I have been able to collect, will be given. 



However, to return to Otocorys penicillata, I find that this species, in habits, food, and mode 

 of nidification, does not appear to differ from the common Shore-Lark. It is found during the 

 breeding-season in the more elevated portions of the mountains, though, according to Mr. Hen- 

 derson, it does not occur where moss and running water cease to be found. It is said to sing 

 extremely well, its song resembling that of the common Shore-Lark. 



I give above a description of the nest and eggs of the present species by Canon Tristram, 

 who found it breeding on Mount Hermon ; and I have in my collection two eggs taken by 

 Mr. Cochrane on Mount Lebanon ; in a note sent with them he writes as follows : — " These eggs 

 were taken on the summit of Mount Lebanon, at the edge of the snow, on the way down to 

 the cedars, on the 24th May, 1864 ; and both birds were shot." Compared with the eggs of 

 Otocorys alpestris from the Varanger fiord, these eggs are larger, much paler in colour, the 

 markings being almost obsolete, and only one has an indistinct dark zone round the larger end. 

 In size they measure -§-§ by f § inch. 



The specimens figured are an adult male (to the right in the foreground) and an adult female 

 (in the centre), both in full breeding-plumage ; and to the left is a distant figure of the male in 

 winter dress, — these being the specimens described. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens: — 



E Mus. H. E. Dresser. 



a, $. Central Asia {Verreaux). b. Syria {Cochrane). 



E Mus. Salvin and Godman, 

 a, 6 , b, $ . Palestine, June 2nd, 1864 {H. B. Tristram). 



E Mus. H. B. Tristram, 

 a. Caucasus (Verreaux). b, c, 8 , d, e, $,/, 6 . Mount Herrnon, June 2nd, 1864 (H. B. T.). 



E Mus. Brit. Beg. 

 a, b, 6 ■ Erzeroom {Dickson and Ross), c, 6 . Mount Hermon. d. Lebanon {H. B. Tristram), e, S ,f, ?. 

 Kulu, India, g, S . Thibet {Earl of Gifford) . 



