156 BIRDS OP PENNSYLVANIA. 



the breast dull-ash, the color on the latter sometimes nearly obsolete ; sides of the 

 breast similar to the back, but of a lighter tint ; middle of the belly very pale yel- 

 lowish-white, turning to pale sulphur-yellow on the sides of the belly, abdomen, and 

 lower tail coverts ; wings brown two narrow white bands on wing, formed by the 

 tips of the first and second coverts, succeeded by one of brown ; the edge of the first 

 primary, and of the secondaries and tertials, white ; tail rather lighter brown, edged 

 externally like the back feathers narrow, not acuminate, with the ends rather blunt. 

 In autumn, the white parts are strongly tinted with yellow. 



Length about b\ inches ; extent about 8 inches. 



Hab. Eastern North America, south in winter to Central America. Breeds from 

 the Northern States northward. 



From personal observation I am unable to give any information of 

 this species. The following remarks relative to it are taken from Mr. 

 Gentry's interesting account in Life Histories of Birds. 



This Flycatcher is rather rare in eastern Pennsylvania, arriving 

 during the last week of April, and occasionally, as late as the first 

 week of May. Its stay is rarely, if ever, prolonged beyond a week. 

 At the expiration of this time, it seeks more northern latitudes, for 

 the purposes of breeding. Unlike the species last described, it is far 

 from being unnecessarily shy, and seemingly courts rather than shuns 

 the society of man. It delights in open grounds, and will not hesi- 

 tate to visit gardens in close proximity to houses, when in quest of 

 food. The borders of small streams are also favorite resorting places. 

 During its short stay, we have never noticed the slightest indication 

 of the quarrelsome disposition which is so strikingly characteristic of 

 acadicus and in a less degree, of trallii. When foraging, our smaller 

 species are permitted to approach without the least fear of being mo- 

 lested. Its habits of feeding, in some particulars, resemble those of 

 trallii- It will perch upon a dead limb overhanging a stream of wa- 

 ter, or in an open field or garden upon a weed or the fence, and awaits 

 its prey with the most commendable patience. Its feeding is per- 

 formed almost in silence, being now and then interrupted by a simple 

 twit. The food consists mainly of beetles and diptera. 



SUBORDER OSCINES. SONG BIRDS. 



FAMILY ALAUDIDJE. LARKS. 

 GENUS OTOCORIS. BONAPAKTE. 

 474. Octocoris alpestris (LiNN.). 



Horned Lark. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Above grayish-brown or pinkish-brown, the feathers of the back streaked with 

 dusky. A broad band across the crown, extending backwards along the lateral 

 tufts ; a crescentic patch from the bill below the eye and along the side of the head ; 

 a jugular crescent, and the tail feathers, (except middle pair which are reddish 

 brown) black. A frontal band extending over the eye, ana under parts, with outer 



