236 ; BIRDS—MOTACILLIDZ. 
suitable field. When feeding, one of their number mounts guard on the 
top of a low hummock. Usually they are not shy, but when approached 
they squat, and remain motionless; if the object of their caution 
remains still, they soon resume their feeding, but if too near an approach 
is made, first one and then another rises with a sharp note, until the 
whole move off in a scattered flock. After circling around for a short 
time they again alight. usually at no great distance. When flying over- - 
head they may be known by the contrast of their white abdomen with 
their black tail feathers Sometimes their feet become so “ balled” with 
ice that they are unable to walk in their usual manner when feeding, 
in which case they progress by jumps, either forwards or sidewise, and 
short flights. They frequently perch on fences. 
The Shore-lark breeds from New York and Wisconsin northward. The 
nest is placed on the ground, and composed of grass. Their eggs average 
.90 by .65; they are of a light drab color, spotted with various shades of 
brown During the breeding season the male is said to have short but 
pleasing song. | 
FAMILY MOTACILLIDA. THE WAGTATLLS. 
Bill very slender, acute; culmen rather concave at base. Longest secondary acu- 
minate, nearly or quite equal to the primaries in the closed wing. Hind claw little 
curved, about twice as long as the middle claw. Hind tce and claw longer than middle 
toe and claw. 
Sub family ANTHINAD. Trrnarkxs. 
Tail shorter than the wings, emarginate at end, the two central feathers shorter 
than the lateral; the feathers broadest near the end, rounding at the tip. 
Genus ANTHUS. Bechstein. 
Wings much pointed and lengthened ; hind toe and claw shorter than the tarsus; out- 
stretched toes falling short of tip of tail. 
ANTHUS LUDOVICIANUS (Gm.) Licht. 
Brown Lark; Vitlark; Pipit. 
Anthus spinoletta, KIRTLAND, Ohio Geolog. Surv., 1838, 163, 182. 
Anthus ludovicianus, READ, Proc. Philad. Acad. Nat. Sci., vi, 1853, 395.—WHEaTON, Ohio 
Agric. Rep. for 1860, 363; Reprint, 1861, 5, 15; Food of Birds, etc., Ohio Agric. Rep. 
for 1874, 563; Reprint, 1875, 3.—LANepon, Cat. Birds of Cin. 1877, 5; Revised List, 
Journ. Cin. Soc. Nat. Hist., i, 1879, 176, Reprint, 4. 
Alauda ludoviciana, GMELIN, Syst. Nat., 1, 1788, 793. 
Anthus ludovicianus, LICHTENSTEIN, Verz. 1823, 37. 
Anthus spinoletta, BONAPARTE, Ann Lye. N. Y., ii. 1826, 90. 
Points of wings formed by the four outer primaries, the fifth being abruptly shorter, 
Hind claw nearly straight, nearly or quite equal to its digit. Above, dark brown, with 
a slight olive shade, most of the feathers with dusky centres; eyelids, superciliary line | 
