278 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



obscure on the rump, and rather narrow on the head ; the light patches on 

 the two outside tail-feathers are similar to those of the Sky-Lark^ but the 

 colour is pale sandy brown instead of white. The underparts are pale 

 buflSsh white, the streaks being confined to a few large ones on the sides 

 of the breast, which is suffused with huffish brown. Bill dark brown, 

 paler below ; legs, feet, and claws yellowish brown ; irides hazel. The 

 female does not differ from the male in colour. After the autumn 

 moult the plumage is slightly more sandy. Birds of the year have a few 

 obscure streaks on the breast. Young in first plumage are somewhat 

 similar to the young of the Sky-Lark. The Short-toed Lark may be dis- 

 tinguished from the other British species by its small size, short hind 

 claw, and almost entire absence of spots on the underparts. 



