BROWN LARK. T85 



BKOWN LAKK. {Alauda rvfa.) 



PLATE XLII.— Fig. 4. 



Red Lark, Edw. 297. — Arct. Zool. No. 279.— Lath. ii. 376. — L'Alouette aux joues 

 brunes de Pennsylvanie, Buff. v. 58.— PeaWs Museum, No. 5138. 



ANTHUS LUDOVLCIANUS— Bonaparte.* 



Synonyms of Anthus Ludovicianus, Bonap. (from Ms Nomenclature) : — " Alauda 

 rubra, Gmel. Lath. — Alauda Ludoviciana, Gmeh Lath. — Alauda Pennsyl- 

 vania, Briss. — Farlouzanne, Buff. Ois. — Alouette aux joues brunes de 

 Pennsylvanie, Buff. Ois. — Lark from Pennsylvania, Ed. Glean, p. 297. — Red 

 Lark, Penn. Brit, and Arct. Zool. Lath. Syn. — Louisiana Lark, Lath. Syn." — 

 Anthus spinoletta, Bonap. St/nop. p. 90. 



In what particular district of the northern regions this bird 

 breeds, I am unable to say. In Pennsylvania, it first arrives 

 from the north about the middle of October ; flies in loose 

 scattered flocks ; is strongly attached to flat, newly-ploughed 



* Anthus is a genus of Bechstein's, formed to contain birds which 

 have been generally called larks, but which have a nearer resemblance 

 to the MotacillcB, or wagtails, and the accentors. They are also allied 

 to Seiurus of Swainson. 



The Prince of Musignano made this identical with the European 

 rock lark, Anthus aquaticus, Bechst., Alauda spinoletta, Linn. ; but in 

 his observations on Wilson's nomenclature, saw reason to change his 

 opinion, and it will now stand as A. Ludovicianus of that gentleman. 

 Audubon has, on the other hand, placed it in his " Biography " as the 

 European bird, but I fear, with too slender comparison ; and the same 

 name is mentioned in the " Northern Zoology," without comparing the 

 arctic specimens with those of Britain or Europe. On these accounts, I 

 rather trust to the observations of Bonaparte, which have been made 

 from actual comparison. It must also be recollected, that the summer 

 and winter dress of the Anthi differ very considerably in their shades. 



Audubon has introduced in his "Biography" another Anthus, which 

 he considers new, under the title of pijpiens. It was only met with 

 once, in the extensive prairies of the north-western States, where two 

 were killed ; and though allied to the common brown titlark, were 

 distinguished by the difference of their notes. If these specimens were 

 not preserved, the species must rest on the authority of Mr Audubon's 

 plate, and, of course, admitted with doubt. — Ed. 



