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Range (Breeds in the upper)

Breeds in the upper Mississippi Valley eastward through New York to western Massachusetts and Long Island.

Washington, common W. V., Oct. 25 to Apl.

This is one of the birds that has changed its range since the settlement of America. It is properly a species of the prairies and open barrens, but since the once-continuous forest of the older States and provinces has been broken up, it has made its appearance in the east, wherever the country is suited to its requirements.

It is strictly a ground bird, never perching on trees, though it commonly alights on the top of a fence post or other low, level surface.

When encountered on a pathway it often runs before the pedestrian, after the manner of the Vesper Sparrow, from which bird, however, FIG. 76. -Prairie Horned Lark. (Natit may be distinguished by the ural size.) black feathers in its tail, by its chocolate back, and by the black marks on its face; also by the fact that it runs, but does not hop, and when it flies it usually utters a whistle, whereas the Vesper Sparrow invariably flies off in silence. Its chief song is poured forth in the air as it soars aloft, like a Skylark; but it often utters this same song while perched on some clod or stone, especially just before dawn and after sunset, as well as in the springtime, while the snow is yet on the ground. - ERNEST E. THOMPSON. EUROPEAN SKYLARKS (473. Alauda arvensis) have been introduced several times in this country. In 1887 a small colony had become established near Flatbush, Long Island, where a nest with young was found. (See Dutcher, Auk, v, 1888, p. 180.) After a supposed extinction a singing bird and nest were observed in July, 1895. (See Proctor, Auk, xii, Oct., 1895.)