LARK

family name Alaudidae, any of about 75 species of a songbird family (order Passeriformes). Larks occur throughout the continental Old World; only the horned, or shore, lark (Eremophila alpestris) is native to the New World. The bill is quite variable: it may be small and narrowly conical or long and downward-curving; and the hind claw is long and sometimes straight. Plumage is plain or streaked (sexes usually alike) in a colour closely matching the soil. Body length is 13 to 23 centimetres (5 to 9 inches). Flocks of larks forage for insects and seeds on the ground. All species have high, thin, melodious voices; in courtship the male may sing in the sky or audibly clap his wings aloft. The male Old World skylark (Alauda arvensis) is particularly noted for his rich, sustained song. The species breeds across Europe and has been introduced into Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and Vancouver Island, B.C. The name lark is also given, chiefly because of habitat, to several birds belonging to other families. See meadowlark; songlark. For fieldlark, or titlark, see pipit. For mudlark, see Grallinidae.