Bill rather short, or of moderate length, somewhat conical, compressed
toward the end; upper mandible with its dorsal line sloping and
slightly convex, the edges sharp and overlapping, the notches
generally obsolete; the tip narrow and a little deflected; lower
mandible with the angle of moderate length and narrow, the dorsal line
ascending and nearly straight, the edges slightly inflected, the tip
acute; gape-line straight. Nostrils elliptical or oblong, basal. Head
oblong, of moderate size; neck rather short; body ovate. Feet of
moderate length, or rather long; tarsus compressed, with eight
anterior scutella; toes slender, compressed; the hind toe elongated,
second and fourth about equal, third much longer. Claws rather long,
arched, slender, much compressed, laterally grooved, acute, that of
the hind toe very long, straightish, tapering. Plumage generally soft
and blended. Wings rather long, broad, the inner secondaries tapering,
and one so elongated as nearly to equal the longest primary, when the
wing is closed. Tail of twelve feathers, generally emarginate. Roof of
the upper mandible concave, generally with three prominent lines;
tongue slender, thin, flat, tapering to a slit and bristly tip;
œsophagus of uniform width; stomach a very strong muscular gizzard
of a roundish form and compressed, its lateral muscles very large, its
epithelium dense and rugous; intestines short, of moderate width;
cœca very small, cylindrical. Nest on the ground. Eggs five or six,
oval, spotted.
GENUS I. ALAUDA, Linn. LARK.
Bill rather short, stout, somewhat conical, compressed, straightish,
acute; upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly arched, the edges
without notch, the tip acute; lower mandible with the dorsal line
ascending, slightly convex, the edges a little inflected, the tip
acute. Head rather large; neck short; body ovate. Legs of ordinary
length, anteriorly scutellate; lateral toes nearly equal, hind toe of
moderate size, with a very long, tapering, acute, and nearly straight
claw. Plumage rather dense and compact. Wings of moderate length, the
second and third quills longest; inner secondaries much elongated.
Tail of moderate length, emarginate.