OF SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA. 237 



BUSH-LARK 



(Thick-billed Lark), 



Mirafra liorsfieldi. Old. 



Mir-af'rd hors-Jield'i. 

 Mirus, wonderful ; africus, Africa ; Horsfidd, a proper name. 

 Mirafra horsfieldii, Gould, " Birds of Australia," fol., vol. iii., pi. 77. 

 Geographical Distribution. — Areas 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9. 



Key to the Species. — Blackish centres to the grey feathers of head 

 and back ; bill very strong and short ; nostrils exposed, with a 

 superior membrane ; planta tarsi (sides and back of tarsus) 

 scutellated. 



Very few people realize that about half the birds they call 

 common Ground-Larks are in reality Bush-Larks. Both are 

 true meadow birds and equally wide in distribution over the 

 continent, and being occasionally found associating in the same 

 paddocks, it is little marvel that the species are confused one 

 with the other. The Bush-Lark, however, has a strong, finch- 

 like bill, and a shorter body than the Pipit. 



Africa is the stronghold of the genus, hence, probably, its 

 name, Mirafra (from Africus, Lat. for Africa). 



Many authorities maintain that this species is the only 

 member of the family Alaudidse (iVlauda, a great songstress), or 

 true Larks, but with all due deference to this opinion I am 

 inclined to think that our Song-Larks come very close in 

 beauty of song. It is in great measure a matter of opinion. 

 I have heard from this Lark most delightful music in the 

 early and late dark hours. Even in the ''noon of night" it 

 floats high in the moonlit air, and gently breaks the quiet 

 with its rich, sweet voice, rather weaker than the strong voice 

 of the British Singing Lark. 



