The Horned Larks 
pp. 5, 10, 16 (desc. nest and eggs); Oberholser, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiv., 1902, 
p. 839 (monogr.); Howell , Pac. Coast Avifauna, no. 12, 1917, p. 67 (syn., occurrence, 
habits, etc.). 
No. I 62 e Columbian Horned Lark 
A. O. U. No. 474j. Otocoris alpestris merrilli Dwight. 
Synonyms.— Dusky Horned Lark (name misleading). Merrill’s Horned 
Lark. 
Description.— Similar to 0. a. actia, but slightly larger and decidedly paler; 
the vinaceous element more restricted in area, lighter and grayer in tone (about vina- 
ceous-fawn); the brownish dusky of back tending to fall more into streaks, the edgings 
pale brownish buffy rather than vinaceous; the yellow element slightly paler and more 
frequently confined to throat. Length of male 162 (6.38); of female 154 (6.06). 
Range of 0 . a. merrilli. —The Columbian plateau and adjoining districts of the 
north interior. Breeds from southern British Columbia and northeastern Idaho south 
to northeastern California. Winters irregularly south. 
Distribution in California. —Breeds in Modoc County and possibly further 
west. Winters south through northern California, at least to Stockton. 
Authorities.—Dwight, Auk, vol. vii., 1890, p. 153 (orig. desc.; type locality, 
Ft. Klamath, Ore.; Calif, in migr.); Merrill , Auk, vol. v., 1888, p. 259 (Ft. Klamath, 
Ore.; habits, desc. nest, etc.); Oberholser , Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiv., 1902, 
p. 833 (monogr.; Calif, localities). 
No. 162 f Sierra Horned Lark 
A. O. U. No. 474j, part. Otocoris alpestris sierrae Oberholser. 
Description. —“Similar to Otocoris alpestris actia but upper parts darker; nape 
more cinnamomeous; back more blackish and more contrasted with neck; and pos¬ 
terior lower parts usually decidedly tinged with yellow” (Oberholser). 
Range of 0 . a. sierrce (Wholly contained within California).—“Breeds in the 
region of the Sierra Nevada in California south to Placer County and north to Lassen 
County. Winters also in the Sacramento Valley” (Oberholser). 
Authority.—Oberholser, Condor, vol. xxii., 1920, p. 34 (orig. desc.; type 
locality, Pine Creek, Lassen Co.). 
No. 162 g Desert Horned Lark 
A. O. U. No. 474d. Otocoris alpestris leucolaema (Coues). 
Synonyms.— Plains Horned Lark. Great Basin Horned Lark. 
Description. —Similar to 0 . a. actia , but somewhat larger and much paler, less 
rufescent; the cervix, bend of wing, etc. (of male), pinkish cinnamon; the (basally 
white) head-patches less strongly tinged with yellow. Length of adult male 162.6 
(6.40); wing 105.8 (4.165); tail 71.5 (2.815); bill 11.5 (.45); tarsus 21.8 (.86). Adult 
female: length about 152.4 (6.00); wing 98.6 (3.88); tail 64 (2.52); bill 10.5 (.41); 
tarsus 21.1 (.83). 
Range of 0 . a. leucolcema. —“Great Plains and Great Basin. Breeds chiefly in 
Transition zone from southern Alberta and southern Saskatchewan to southern Nevada, 
northern New Mexico, and western Kansas; winters south to southern California, 
Texas and Sonora.” 
