SHOME LARK.
HORNED LARK.
Alauda alpestris,
" cornuta,
JENVNS. GOULD. EYTON.
RICHARDSON AND SWAINSON.
Alauda—A Lark. Alpestris—.
THIS species is a native of the northern parts of Europe, Asia,
and America, being found in the most abundance in the last-named
continent, from Labrador and the extreme north, through the various
states as far south as Georgia, and in the former in Poland, Russia,
and Siberia. It is also said to occur at the southern extremity of
South America, on those stony shores which have perpetuated the
name of the enterprising Magellan; and, if it be so, it exists on
others, doubtless, in all that part of the world as well. According
to Temminck, it is found commonly in Saxony, Germany, and
Holland, both in winter and summer, and breeds in the latter.
The instances of the occurrence of the Shore Lark in this country
are—or rather were, when the first edition of this work was published
—but very few. One, a male in immature plumage, was shot on
the beach at Sherringham, in the county of Norfolk, in March, 1830.
A second has been recorded by Thomas Eyton, Esq., of Eyton, as
having been killed in Lincolnshire; and Mr. Yarrell mentions two
which were obtained on a Down in Kent. 'Two and two make
four.' One, since the above was written, at Filey, in Yorkshire; and
yet another, on or about October 19th., 1869, near Brighton, of
which M. F. Wykeham-Martin has informed me; also at Llandudno.
In this year, however, a flock of from fifteen to twenty were seen
near Flamborough, Yorkshire, the 14th. of December, two of which
were shot and presented to me for mv collection by the Rev. Alfred
Olivier. Three in the estuary of the Tyne, near the residence of
the Earl of Haddington, 10th. January, 1859. Two near St. Andrews
in the winter of 1865, and two near Aberdeen in the year 1809.