S H O R T - T O E D L A R K .
Alauda brachydactyia; STemm;)
■ $ 11
S H O f t T - T O E I ) L A . f t K ,
Temm.
v L'Alouette à doigte courte, '
Thts . |&jfe AiaiAtt Osiàtoéra and Alauda Tartarica, is distinguished by the more powerful' and robust
form A fciM* bill, and by, the comparative shortness o f the toes,, circumstances which, as we have already
observed, would appear to constitute the characters o f a minor group ©£ the Larks ; in neither, however, are.
the toes so much abbreviated <te in the present instance. The members o f this group would appear to be
widely distributed, the largest o f the geuHs, AUaida Tartdrka„ being a native o f high .northern latitudes» while
the delicate species here figured makes the southern regions of Europe, and the"adjacent portions of Africa,
■its permanent habitat. It is said to abound ou the hot sandy plains o f the Spanish Peninsula, and that it is
s 110 k ® abundant in Sicily and in some portions o f Italy ; in fact it is found along the whole of the borders of
' the Mediterranean. It occurs oceasionafijUn the Sooth of France, but this appears to be the boundary o f its
range northwards.
Its nest is constructed on the ground like that of the Sky Lark, and the eggs are five in number, of an isabelle
yellow, without any markings»
The sexes are not distinguishable by the colouring o f their plumage ; the tints of the female'are, however,
somewhat duller than those o f the male. The yoCmg during the first autumn bave the outer edges of each
feather margined with bub’.
The male has the top of the head and all the. upper parte of a yellowish or sandy brown, «%h the centre of
external edges yellowish white ; a whitish yellow streak over each eye * throat and belly white, the chest and
flanks being tinged with yellowish brown ; bill and feet light brown.
The Plate represents a male and female of the natural sinee.
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