Ornithology of the Matopo District. 561 



195. Mirafra sabota. Sabota Lark. 



This Lark is a rare bird with us, but I have obtained 

 specimens at the Dam Hotel, whilst I have also noticed it 

 close to Figtree. 



196. X Mirafra africana. Rufous-naped Lark. 

 Siud. " inewelo.^' 



Fairly common, but I did not notice it within the hills. 

 On January 19 I found a nest containing two eggs ; the 

 nest was typical and placed in a natural hollow under a 

 tussock of grass. 



197. Pinarocorys nigricans. Dusky Lark. 

 Mirafra mnricans (Sund.) ; Scl. i. p. 207. 



I saw this Pipit-like Lark in small numbers on the 

 fringes of the Matopos in 1912, but it is decidedly a rare 

 bird and does not seem to penetrate the hills to any extent. 



198. X Pyri'hulauda leucotis smithi. Smith's Lark. 

 Pyrrhulauda smithi (Bp.) ; Scl. i. p. 196. 



Common and resident throughout the open country from 

 Bulawayo, through the Dam and across to Figtree, but not 

 occurring in the hills. At times this Lark is subject to con- 

 siderable movements. In January I noticed them in pairs, 

 and they breed in March and April, whilst they flock about 

 tbe middle of May, and are then sometimes to be found in 

 the company of Quail-Finches and other small birds on the 

 open grasslands. At other times they love to frequent 

 dusty roads, and in towns they resembled the Sparrow 

 {Passer domesticus) in this respect, except that they do 

 not resort to buildings. On the 20th of March, whilst 

 breaking up an area on the open gi^asslands, I found a 

 nest containing two eggs. The nest was situated in a hollow 

 to the sheltered side of a tuft of grass, and, owing to the 

 irregular shape of the nest and close assimilation of the 

 materials and eggs to the surroundings, was an excellent 

 example of protective coloration in this direction. The male 

 participates in sitting. When flushed, the bird was silent 

 and simply circled round at some height and settled on the 



