44 



Genus I.— ALAUDA, Linn. LARK. 



Bill rather short, stout, somewhat conical, compressed, straightish, acute; 

 upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly arched, the edges without notch, 

 the tip acute; lower mandible with the dorsal line ascending, slightly convex, 

 the edges a little inflected, the tip acute. Head rather large; neck short; 

 body ovate. Legs of ordinary length, anteriorly scutellate; lateral toes 

 nearly equal, hind toe of moderate size, with a very long, tapering, acute, 

 and nearly straight claw. Plumage rather dense and compact. Wings of 

 moderate length, the second and third quills longest; inner secondaries much 

 elongated. Tail of moderate length, emarginate. 



SHORE LARK. 



Alauda alpestris, Linn. 



PLATE CLI. — Male in Summer, in Winter, Female, and Young. 



It was on the 26th of July, 1833, that theftipley, with every sail set, was 

 gently bounding over the waves, towards the Harbour of Bras d'Or. A thin 

 mist covered the surface of the surrounding waters, so that, although it was 

 already full day -light, scarcely could any of the party distinguish the coast 

 of Labrador, which was only about a mile distant from the vessel, that so 

 trippingly moved toward its shores. The person who had undertaken to act 

 as pilot, proved so inadequate to the task, that, notwithstanding his having 

 fished for many years in sight of the harbour we were desirous of entering, 

 he could not afford the least aid to our captain in navigating the schooner. 

 We neared the land, however, and through the mist at last discovered the 

 slender spars of several vessels at anchor. A signal was instantly run apeak, 

 and to our great joy was immediately answered. Over the waves now came 



