Sxy-Larx.  PASSERES. ALAUDA. 291 
mage of the richest tints, and most brilliant colours. At 
other seasons, these birds resemble the females in plumage. 
Genus XX XIII. LARK. ALAUDA, Linn. 
GENERIC CHARACTERS. 
Bill subconic, short, having the mandibles of equal length, 
and the upper one slightly convex. Nostrils basal, lateral, 
and oval, partly concealed by small reflected feathers. Feet, 
with three toes before, and one behind ; the anterior ones be- 
ing entirely divided ; and the claw of the hind toe much pro- 
duced, and nearly straight. Wings, with the first quill very 
short, or wanting, and the third the longest. Greater co- 
verts, in most imstances, shorter than the quills. Coronal 
feathers generally produced, and capable of being erected. 
The members of this genus are inhabitants of the open 
fields, or plains. Their food principally consists of grain and 
different seeds, but they do not refuse the occasional supply 
of worms or other insects. Their progressive motion is by 
walking or running; and they are amongst the birds that 
have been styled Pulverators, which delight in rolling them- 
selves in the dust. They sing during their perpendicular 
ascent in the air; and make their nests upon the ground. 
They are easily distinguished from the Pipits by the form of 
the head, as well as by other essential characters; and they 
differ from these last as much in their peculiar habits. 
y Sky Lark.—Alauda arvensis, Linn. 
PLATE 50. Fig. 1. 
Alauda arvensis, Linn. Syst. p. 287. 1.—Gmel. Syst. 1. p. 791. sp. 1.—Lath. 
Ind. Ornith. 2. p. 491. 1. 
Alauda vulgaris, Rati, Syn. p. 69. A. 1.—Wiill. p. 149. t. 40.—Briss. 3. 
. dao. I. 
TO Mtaette ordinaire, Buff: Ois. v. 5. p. 1. t. 1—Id. Pl. Enl. 363. f. 1. 
Alouette des champs, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. vy. 1. p. 281. 
