4G0 .VJiSTS A,\l) EGGS Ol- AUSTRALIAN BINDS. 



with Limber aud dull-giuy. Dimcusious in inches of proper clutclics: 

 A (1) -95 X -65, {•!) -912 x -64, (3) -91 x -63 ; B (1) -89 x -05, (2) -SS x -64, 

 (3) -88 X -64, (4) -86 x -66. (Plate 15.) 



Oh-'icrvativiis. — The Ground Lark may be described as wearing a plain 

 brownish dress with dark markings on each feather, while tlie under 

 surface is duU-wliite, lightest on the throat and abdomen. When Hying, 

 two white lateral tail feathers appear conspicuous. Length, 6^ inches; 

 wing, 3J, inches; tail, 2^ inches; bill, ^ inch; tarsus, 1 inch. Both sexes 

 are ahke in colouring, but newly-moulted individuals have a richer shade 

 of brown in the coat. 



Throughout Australia, Tasmania, and even adjacent islands, wher- 

 ever there are grassy or meadow-like situations, there the familiar 

 Ground Lark, or Pipit, is sure to be seen, flitting over the field before 

 you. Its own native song is beautiful and blithesome, especially at 

 times in the morning sun, when the bird is seen poised on wavering 

 wings pouring out its notes over some field.* 



My friend, Mr. Tom Court, gi-aphically related to me an incident 

 of how he was once shooting on the plains, and came suddenly upon a 

 tiger snake with its head a few inches from a Ground Lark sitting upon 

 her eggs. 



Kcferiing to the Ground Lark singing. Mr. C. McLennan, writing 

 to me from the Mallee Scrub, under date 9th September, 1896, says : — 

 " But last Sunday when I was going through a paddock I saw a Ground 

 Lark and took particular notice of it. All at once the bird seemed to 

 know what I wanted, for it rose up in the air, singing all the time that 

 it was ascending, but stopped as soon as it started to come down again. 

 I have seen the bird go through the performance once since. ' 



The Groiuid Larks from Tasmania and islands in Ba.ss Strait 

 are larger than the mainland bird, so much so that they may 

 almost be considered a local variety, the eggs, too, being larger. 



Breeding months end of August to January or February, during 

 which time two or more broods are reared. 



A plate in the " Records " of the Australian Museum (vol. iii) depietti 

 a most curious nesting place for a Ground Lark — a rusty (probably 

 presei-ved milk) tin with the ragged lid open and still attached. The 

 tin was foimd lying in an exposed situation in a paddock at 

 Campbellton, New South Wales. There was a pair of eggs in the nest. 



"Those persons who take interest in " Land Birds at Sea " may like to know 

 that during a recent passage of the R.M.S. "Victoria" to Sydney, a Ground 

 I. ark came on board off Ninety-Mile Beach, Gippsland — at least, that is where 

 it was first observed. The bird remained with us till we reached Port Jackson. 

 I noticed it take several short flights round the big vessel, and saw it picking 

 up food — crumbs, apparently — on board. I believe, at night, it roosted in one 

 of the boats. 



