J12 ALAUDlDJi. 



Family ALAUDID^E. 



The arrangement followed in the present volume is practically the 

 same as that proposed by me in my Synopsis of African Larks in 

 1874. The characters for separating some of the genera may be 

 somewhat slight : but as they are perfectly capable of illustration and 

 easy of comprehension, I see no reason for modifying the arrangement 

 then set forward, excepting in one or two instances where an exa- 

 mination of increased material has enabled me to detect some errors. 



Key to the Genera. 



a. Bill elongated, the culmen longer than 



the middle toe and claw, or equal to it. 

 a'. First primary abcjiit equal to or a 

 little longer than the tarsus. 

 a". Hind claw long and perfectly 



straight 1. Cebthilauda, p. 514. 



b". Hind claw curved. 



a'". Hind claw slightly curved, about 



equal to hind toe 2. ALiEMON, p. 517. 



//". Hind claw very much curved, 



and shorter than the hind toe. 3. Heterocorys, p. 524. 

 b' . First primary very much diminished in 

 size and not equal to half the tarsus. 

 c". Bill long and slender, abnut as 



high as'itis broad at nostrils. ... 4. Ciiersophilus, p. 525. 

 d". Bill very stout, much higher than 



broad at no.?trils 5. Rhamphooorys, p. 527. 



b. Bill stouter and shorter, the culmen 



shorter than the middle toe aud claw, 

 c'. With lateral elongated hornlets on 



the side of the head 6. Otocorys, p. 528. 



d'. No elongated hornlets on the side of 



the head. 



e". First primary rudimentary, shorter 



than the inner toe and claw, or not 



exceeding these in length. 



c'". Distance between tips of pri- 



nuu'ies aud tips of secondaries 



equal to or greater than the 



length of tarsus 7. Melanocorypha,p.550. 



d'". Distance between tips of pri- 

 maries and tips of secondaries 

 less than length of tarsus. 

 a*. Distance between tips of pri- 

 maries and tips of secondaries 

 much less than hind claw. 

 a\ Bill equal in height and 



breadth at nostrils ...... 8. Tephrocorvs, p. 561. 



b'. Bill higher than it is broad 



at nostrils 9. Spizocorys, p. 564. 



i*. Distance between tips of pri- 

 maries and tips of secondaries 

 much greater than the length 

 of the bind claw. 



