253 
primary being shorter than the sixth (Figure 249 a), a character only shared by the Western 
Flycatcher. There is a yellowish phase of this species and Hammond's, in which the under- 
parts approach the yellowness of the Yellow-bellied and Western Flycatchers. 
Field Marks. A very small obscurely coloured Flycatcher, difficult of separation 
from the Least and Hammond's. In the breeding season it is a bird of lower levels than 
the latter, inhabiting elevations below 3,000 feet. It is usually a shade lover, and most 
often seen in second-growth thickets and brush. It does not seem to have any very dis- 
tinctive notes — a soft “sunt” is the commonest, whilst others are reminiscent or so suggest- 
ive of calls of other species as to make identification by the notes uncertain. 
Nesting . Nest of fibres, bark strips, etc., softly lined, in upright crotch, usually low 
down. 
Distribution. Western North America from . southern British Columbia to New 
Mexico. In Canada, southern British Columbia, east probably to western Saskatchewan. 
Its eastern range has not been very well defined. 
Very closely resembling the Least Flycatcher and Hammond’s and the 
wing formula (Figure 249) is probably the best distinction. It will take the 
closest observation and the collection of many specimens, to define, with 
accuracy, the overlapping ranges of these species. 
SUBORDER— OSCINES. SONG BIRDS 
The suborder Oscines is a large division of birds, placed at the head of 
the list as exhibiting the highest development of the class A ves. It includes 
a great number of families and species, the exact relationships of many of 
which have never been satisfactorily defined. According to present 
American usage the suborder begins with the Larks and ends with the 
Thrushes which are regarded as constituting the most highly developed 
family. The characters differentiating the Oscines from the Clamatores are 
technical and anatomical and beyond the scope of a popular consideration 
of the subject. As might be gathered by the name the high development 
of the vocal organs and muscles attached is an important point in the 
classification. The members are more easily recognized from family 
descriptions than under this more general heading. 
FAMILY ALAUDIDAE. LARKS 
The Larks comprise a large family of wide distribution. The sys- 
tematic distinctions that characterize the family are rather technical, and 
as there is only one species in Canada to consider, they will be described 
under the species in the following pages. 
474. Horned Lark (Including Eastern, Prairie, Hoyt’s, Desert, Pallid, and 
Streaked Horned Larks), shore lark. Otocoris alpestris. L, 7-75. Plate XLII B. 
A ground bird, approximately of the 
size of a Sparrow; greyish pink or light 
brownish above; white below with black 
gorget, facemark, and forehead; and 
white or pale yellow throat. 
Distinctions. The long hind toe nail 
(Figure 250 b) is one of the distinctive 
marks of the true Larks, but is shared 
by the Titlark and the Longspurs. The 
latter, however, are Sparrows with 
typical conical bills, and very different 
from the Larks. The yellow or creamy 
throat, black gorget, and erect, horn-like black ear tufts are distinctive of the Horned 
Lark (Figure 250 a). 
Field Marks. Ground-frequenting habits, often in large flocks; extensive white 
below, erectile horns, and black gorget with white or pale yellow throat. 
Homed Lark, showing long hind claw; 
natural size. 
