EEEMOPHILA ALPESTRlS, HORNED LARK. 39 



The question of the relationships of our various Larks is rather intricate, hut vro 

 probably have an apijroximately correct solution of the inoblem. It is certain, in the 

 first place, that onr bird is identical ■with that of Europe — there is no ground on which 

 to base even varietal distinction of the ordinary North American bird. By this is meant 

 those individuals from any part of the country that are extensively migratory, bred 

 far north, and dispersed at other seasons over most of the United States — certainly 

 over all the Eastern States, and api)arent]y, also, to some distance along the Pacific 

 coast. Never continuously exposed to special modifying influences of climate or food, 

 these retain what may be regarded as the normal characters of the species. But in all 

 the ojjen country of the West, from Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, the birds find con- 

 genial breeding ground, and are stationary or nearly so. These birds become impressed 

 with a certain character, due to the special circumstances of environment, which may 

 be sunmied as pallor, corresponding in degree to the atmospheric dryness. It varies iu 

 degree from a slight paleness matched by the palest eastern birds, to the maximum in 

 birds of the most arid regions. No specific distinction, of cc^rse, can be jiredicated, 

 nor is it possible to assign a geographical distribution with strictness. In the South 

 the question is complicated by another consideration. Here latitude plays its part in 

 reduction of size, and in brightening the plumage again to an extent scarcely seen in 

 the eastern birds. The result is a bird so difl'erent from the ordinary stj Ic tliat it was 

 admitted as a species by Dr. Finsch, although ho reduced the dozen or more current 

 species to five. I was particularly strucli with the small size and bright color of the 

 Larks of New Mexico, where I found them in the breeding season ; and the same fea- 

 tures are found in the Mexican bird. It is, however, impossible to draw any dividing 

 line between them and the ordinary form. 



In the Key. I followed Prof. Baird in recognizing only the small, bright southern 

 form, as var. elirysolmma of 'Wagler ; but I am now inclined to admit also the pale form to 

 varietal distinction. For this a new name appears to be rer[uired. Alaucla rw/a of Au- 

 dubon apparently' included both, but points unmistakably to the southern form, as does 

 also the Otoeorys rvfa of Heerniann, and Alaucla minor of Giraud. The Otocoris occi- 

 dentalis of McCall is based on New lilexican birds of the character above mentioned, 

 though the name, as used by Prof. Baird in 1852 for the bird afterward figured as above 

 (P. R. R. Rep. X, pi. 32), is applicable to the var. leucohana. 



Var. leacola'ma, CouES (No. 2745, coll. E. C, Fort Randall, Mar. 8, 1873). Not smaller 

 than typical aljjestri^. Little or no yellow about the head or throat, and the black 

 markings narrow. Upper parts grayish-brown, with little or uo pinkish tinge ; the 

 feathers with only obsoletely darker centres. 



East of the region above specified the Horned Lark is not known to 

 breed iu the United States ; and the only record of its occurrence in 

 summer which I have seen, that given by Mr. Maynard, as above, most 

 probably indicates a highly exceptional instance. According to Mr. Mc- 

 Ilwraith, a few pairs nest about Ilamilton, Canada West. The great 

 majority of the eastern birds repair beyond the latitude of New Eng- 

 land, breeding- plentifully in Labrador and Newfoundland. I found them 

 very plentiful along the Labrador coast, and on all the rocky moss-clad 

 islands adjoining, where they find the situations in which they delight 

 to nest. Leaving these rugged and inhospitable shores, they enter the 

 United States in October, and by the following month are generally dis- 

 persed along the Atlantic as far at least as the Oarolinas. Tliey are now in 

 flocks, sometimes of great extent, and scour the open country iu search 

 of food. Their returil begins in Marcli, and is mostly completed by the 

 end of that month, though stragglers remain in England through the 

 greater part of April. They have no song at this season, beyond the 

 sharp chirping notes with which the flocks call to each other. 



The Horned Lark breeds about Pembina, and thence westward in the 

 same latitude. I am also informed that it nests in the vicinity of Eacine, 

 Wisconsin, laying^sometimes in the middle of April, when the snow is 

 still on the ground. According to Mr. Trippe, it also breeds in Southern 

 Iowa, where it is abundant and nearly resident, being absent only iu the 

 depth of winter for aj-few weeks, and some remaining even then. It 

 nests there early in May, occasionally as late as the 25th. I scarcely 

 think that it endures the winters high on the Missouri. I did not see it 

 through that season at Fort Randall, though it was common after Feb- 

 ruary. Further south, where I have observed it in the west, it is perma- 

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