Sturnus collaris, LINNÆUS; Motacilla Alpina, LINNÆUS; La
Fauvette des Alpes, BUFFON; Der Alpensänger, BECHSTEIN.
The characteristics of this bird are so equivocal that it is sometimes
ranked with the larks, sometimes with the starlings, and sometimes with
the _Motacillæ_. It is six inches and a half in length, but the tail
alone measures nearly three. The beak is six lines, and is dark brown
above and orange beneath; the mandibles are flattish at the sides; the
iris is yellow; the shanks are an inch high, and pale brown; a whitish
ash grey predominates on the head, neck, and back, but the latter is
streaked with dark brown, the others with pale brown.
The female and young ones are variegated with dark brown on the belly;
the back is dark, and the spots on the throat less apparent.
OBSERVATIONS.--This species frequents the secondary mountains of
Switzerland and southern Germany, and is as common there as the field
larks on our plains[107]. In winter it descends into the valleys, and
approaches villages and barns, around which these birds may be
caught, in as great numbers as yellowhammers. They are generally seen
on the ground, running as swiftly as the wagtail, and will sometimes
hop on stones, but rarely perch on trees.
They feed on seeds and insects, and in the house they should be given
bruised hemp-seed, poppy-seed, white bread, and ants' eggs. On this
food they may be preserved for several years. Their song is sweet,
but sad and melancholy; their attitudes are graceful, and often when
they hop they flutter their wings and tail. They build on the ground
or in clefts of rocks, which has given them the name of rock
larks[108].