236 BIRDS — MOTACILLID^. , 



suitable field. When feeding, one of their number mounts guard on the 

 top of a low hummock. Usually they are not shy, but when approached 

 they gquiit, and remain motionless.; if the object of their caution 

 remains still, they soon resume their feeding, but if too near an approach 

 is made, first one and then another rises with a sharp note, until the 

 whole move off in a scattered flock. After circling around for a short 

 time they again alight, usually at no great distance. When flying over- 

 head they maj' be' known by the contrast of their white abdomen with 

 their black tail feathers Sometimes their feet become so •' balled" with 

 ice th.'it they are unable to walk in their usual manner when feeding, 

 in which ca?e thej' progress by jumps, either forwards or sidewise, and 

 short flights. They frequently perch on fences. 



The Shore-lark breeds irom N'-^w York and Wisconsin northward. The 

 nest is placed on the ground, and composed of grass. Their eggs average 

 .90 by .65 ; they are of a light drab color, spotted wiih various shades of 

 bro'A n During the breeding season the male is said to have short but 

 pleasing song. 



FAMILY MOTACILLID^. THE WAGTAILS. 



Bill very sU'iider, acnte; ciilme.n rather coucave at base. Longest secondary acu- 

 minate, nearly or quite equal to tbo priiiiMrii-s in the closed Tvibg. Hind c]a"w little 

 curved, about twice as loug as the niiddl.j claw. Hind toe and claw longer than middle 

 toe and claw. 



Subfamily ANTHIN.E. Titlabks. 



Tail shorter than the wings, emarginate at end, the two central feathers shorter 

 than the lateral ; the feathers broadest near the end, rounding at the tip. 



Genus ANTHUS. Bechstein. 



WiogB much pointed and lengthened ; hind toe and claw shorter than the tarsus; out- 

 stretched toes falling short of tiji of tail. 



Anthus LtJDovioiANDS (Gm ) Licht. 



JESrown Larli ; Titlark ; T-*ipit. 



Anthus spinoMta, Kirtland, Ohio Geolog. Surv., 1838, 163, 182. 



Anthus ludovicianus, Ebad, Proc. Philad. Acad. Nat. Sci., vi, 1853, 395. — Whkaton, Ohio 



Agric. E"p. for 18()0, 363; Reprint, 1861, 5, 15; Food of Birds, etc., Ohio Agric. Rep. 



for 1874, 5(13; Reprint, 1875, 3.— Langdon, Cat. Birds of Cin. 1877, 5; Revised List, 



Jouru. Cin. Soo. Nat. Hist., i, 1879, 176, Reprint, 1. 



Alauda ludoviciana, Gmelin, Syst. Nat., i, 1788, 793. 

 Anthus ludomianm, Liohtbnstein, Verz. 18-23, 37. 

 Anthus splmUlta, BonaPaute, Ann Lye. N. Y., ii. 1826, 90. 



Points of wings formed by the four outer primaries, the fifth being abruptly shorter^ 

 Hind claw nearly straight, nearly or quite equal to its digit. Above, dark brown, with 

 a slight olive shade, most of the feathers with dusky centres; eyelids, superciliary line 



