THE LARKS. 
81 
black, the remainder of the ear-coverts yellowish-white, like the 
sides of the neck; across the lower throat and fore-neck a 
broad band of black; under surface of body white, the sides 
of the body and thighs vinous, slightly streaked with blackish ; 
bill black, bluish-white at base of lesser mandible; feet 
brownish-black, tinged with grey ; iris reddish-brown. Total 
length, 6-8 inches ; culmcn, 0-55 ; wing, 4-25 ; tail, 2-9 ; tarsus, 
o- 9 . 
Adult Female. — Forehead yellower than in the male, the black 
band on the crown not so strongly marked ; hinder crown and 
nape browner, with less vinous tinge, mottled and streaked 
with black like the back. 
Range in Great Britain.— A visitor in autumn and winter to the 
eastern coasts, and of pretty regular occurrence ; it has also 
been noticed on the spring migration. 
Range outside tlie British Islands.— A Strictly northern bird, 
breeding beyond the limit of forest growth in Northern Europe 
and Siberia, and migrating south in winter. Also found across 
the high northern portions of America. 
Habits. — Generally noticed in small parties on the sea-shore 
where it picks up small molluscs, and feeds on the buds of 
small plants. In the summer the principal food consists of 
insects, but in the autumn it lives principally on seeds. Mr. 
Seebohm says that the Shore-Lark appears to be entirely a 
ground-bird, and often sings on the ground ; but at its breed- 
ing places it sings incessantly, and mounts into the air like a 
Sky-Lark. The nest is placed on the ground, generally in some 
slight hollow. 
Host. — According to Mr. Seebohm, the nest is loosely made 
of dry grass and stalks, and the inside, which is rather deep, is 
lined with willow-down or reindeer-hair. 
E^s.— Three to five in number, more generally four. Ground- 
colour brown, thickly mottled with spots of darker brown 
distributed over the whole egg, and collecting in a broad ring 
round the larger end of the latter. This ring is generally very 
distinct, but is sometimes lighter, and occasionally absent 
altogether. Axis, 0-9-1 o inch ; diam., 0-6-0-65. 
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