Ornithology of Northern Africa. 421 



None remain during the summer, though B. Jlava breeds in 

 the Atlantic' district. 



69. Anthus campestris. (Tawny Pipit.) 



Abundant on the Hants Plateaux. Not seen further south. 



70. Anthus pratensis. (Meadow Pipit.) 



71. Anthus arboreus. (Tree Pipit.) 



Both obtained apparently on passage, the former in large, 

 the latter in smaller flocks throughout the winter. 



72. Otocorys bilopha. (Desert Homed Lark.) Temm. Pi. 

 Col. 241. fig. 1. 



This elegant and singularly-marked bird is by no means abun- 

 dant anywhere in the Desert, but may occasionally be met with 

 in parties of five or six on gravelly slopes, — never, so far as my 

 observation goes, in the sandy districts. I have found it not far 

 from the dayats. Heuglin's remark is, " It is certainly only a 

 variety of Alauda alpestris. I found it only in Arabia Petrsea 

 in summer. In winter it did not occur to me there.'' (Vog. Nord- 

 ost Afrik. p. 43.) This was also the impression of the in- 

 formant of Capt. Loche, on whose authority O. alpestris is men- 

 tioned as Algerian. My experience so far diflfers from Dr. 

 Heuglin's, that I found the bird throughout the winter, the 

 labels on my specimens ranging from November to March, in 

 localities precisely similar to Arabia Petrsea. There is a con- 

 siderable difi'erence in size between the two species, my series of 

 0. bilopha rarely exceeding 5| inches in length, and the length 

 of wing 3'8 inches, while 0. alpesti'is is usually 7 inches in 

 length, and the wing from carpal joint 4| inches. The black 

 tufts of feathers or horns extend in the male "9 inch behind the 

 eyes, which considerably exceeds the length of the coi'responding 

 tuft in any specimens I have seen of 0. alpestris in the breeding- 

 season ; and though the relative distribution of the plumage is 

 similar in both birds, yet the coloration is of so very distinct a 

 hue that it is difficult for me to believe in the identity of the 

 species. There is not a trace of yellow in the plumage of 

 O. bilopha, its place being supplied by the purest white ; and the 

 whole upper plumage, scapulars, and wing-coverts are of a uni- 

 form rich isabel colour, paler than in any other Desert-lark, except 



