46 MANUAL 



shaped, but more Dearly equal-edged throughout the entire 

 length of its feathers, and delicate ; size small ; plumage more 

 or less completely barred. 



Genera, Thryothorus, The Great Carolina Wren and allies (6 species). 

 Troglodytes, The House Wrens (3 species). 

 Anorthura, The Winter Wrens, (3 species). 

 Telmatodytes and CistotJiorus, The Marsh Wrens (3 species). 



Sub-genera, None, unless Thryomanes be considered a sub-genus of 

 Thryothorus. 



In this family, as in several others, species are often trans- 

 ferred by different writers, from one genus to another, without 

 the use of specific sub- genera. 



A careful comparison of the toes of the two sub-families 

 will show a marked difference which were hard to explain of 

 either one alone. 



FAMILY VII ALAUDIDAE THE LARKS 



Latin " alauda, the lark, ' a Celtic word, literally great songstress.' " 

 This is a small family made, apparently, originally for a 

 single species. One or two varieties and one extra-limital 

 species have crept into it, however. North America is noted 

 for a great many of these peculiar one-specied families. The 

 larks are noted for : The peculiarly shaped head horns or 

 crests, and the immensely lengthened hind toe nail — these 

 alone would distinguish the family. They have, also : the 

 tarsus scute! late ; wings long and pointed, 1st primary spuri- 

 ous or wanting ; bill short, stout, pointed ; nostrils more or 

 less concealed by tufts of feathers. The tail hardly enters 

 into the composition of the family characteristics. Until re- 

 cently the family admitted of but a single sub-family ; the re- 

 cently imported European Skylark, however, would natiirally 

 add a second sub-family. It does not seem necessary to allow 

 this in the present instance : The main difference being in 

 the presence or absence of a spurious 1st wing quill, this is 

 wanting iu the European Lark. The different places in the 

 families of birds which are given to the members of this fam- 



