Ornithology of Northern Africa. 423 



especially towards the large end, with brown and red spots. In 

 its habits this very distinct species exhibits, so far as I am aware, 

 no distinctive peculiarities, living in small flocks, and poising 

 itself in the air like its congeners." Its notes are few, though 

 not unmelodious, and its song will bear no comparison, either in 

 volume or sweetness, with that of the Skylark. It varies con- 

 siderably in size, but its average length is about 6| inches. 



7Q. Ammomanes pallida. Cab., Mus. Hein. p. 125. A. ele- 

 ganSy A. Brehm. (Pale Desert-Lark.) 



This Desert Lark may be distinguished at a glance from the 

 former, not only by its inferior size, as it measures only about 

 5 1 inches in length, and wing from carpal joint 3"8 inches, but 

 more especially by the distinct black bars on the extremities of 

 the rectrices and primaries. Its whole plumage, too, as its name 

 implies, is of a paler colour, and without the reddish hue which 

 pervades A. isabellina. The beak is very stout and conical, only 

 4 lines from the gape, while that of A. isabellina measures 

 6 lines. It is more strictly confined to the southern Sahara, never 

 being found in the northern or rocky districts, and though not 

 scarce in its localities, is rather solitary in its habits, more than 

 two or three being very rarely observed together. Its flight is 

 jerking and short ; nor have I noticed it poise itself on the wing. 

 Its notes are very varied and melodious, but not powerful. The 

 egg is peculiar, similar in shape to that of Caland. brachy- 

 dactyla, measuring 9 lines by 7 ; the ground-colour dingy white, 

 and covered over its whole surface by very minute brown spots, 

 but never blotched. 



77. Ammomanes regulus ; Bp., Compt. Rend. xliv. p. 1066 

 (1857) : Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1857, p. 283. (Little Desert-Lark.) 



This beautiful little Lark, first described by Prince Bonaparte 

 from specimens procured for him by Capt. Loche, is decidedly 

 the smallest of its genus, measuring from 4^ to 4| inches in 

 length, and in length of wing from carpal joint 3*4 inches. In 

 general coloration it resembles the preceding species, but is on 

 the whole paler in its hues, the flanks being pure white instead 

 of sand-colour; and the breast, which in A. pallida is of a very 

 pale isabel, is in A. regulus white, with faint traces of pale isabel 



