492 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
Bocage states that, besides being larger than F’. flaviventris, there are 
strong points of difference between the last-named bird and F’. cabanisi. 
The following is the description given by Professor Bocage :— 
Adult male.—Head above blackish, varied with ashy grey or 
white in the middle of the crown, and of a deep black on the sides ; 
a narrow superciliary band produced on each side as far as the nape ; 
back marked with large black streaks on a ground of ashy and 
maroon brown; rump and upper tail-coverts ashy, with the centre 
of some of the feathers brownish; two transverse white bands on 
the wing, one formed by the last row of the lesser wing-coverts, 
the other by the tips of the greater coverts ; under surface of body 
less brilliant yellow than in F. flaviventris, with the chin and a band 
of each side of the throat, pure white ; flanks and crissum pale ashy ; 
under tail-coverts white; quills brown, fringed with ashy grey 
externally ; tail-feathers blackish, tipped with white, the external 
one white externally as well; upper mandible blackish, the lower 
one reddish with the tip brown; iris brown. Total length 6-7 
inches; bill, 0°5; wing, 3°35; tail, 2°9; tarsus, 0°65. 
Fig. Reichen. Journ. f. Orn. 1875, taf. ii. figs. 2, 3. 
Fam. ALAUDIDZ. 
494, PyYRRHULAUDA VERTICALIS, Smith. | Grey-backed Finch-Lark. 
Sir Andrew Smith found this bird to the north and south of 
Kurrichaine. Mr. Ortlepp tells us that it is plentiful near Colesberg, 
and, when the breeding season is over, they are to be found on 
most of the extensive plains in the neighbourhood, in large flocks. 
Mr. Andersson writes as follows :—“ This species is pretty commonly 
diffused over Damara and Great Namaqua Land, especially in the 
latter country; and I generally observed it abundant in the rainy 
season at Objimbinque, during my residence there. It congregates 
in large flocks, and is always found on the ground, unless disturbed, 
when it flies but a short distance before it again alights, scattering 
widely amongst the grass in search of its food, which consists almost 
entirely of seeds. Its flight is undulating; and occasionally an 
individual may be seen to soar above the rest, descending again very 
abruptly ; it may sometimes be heard to utter a shrill chirping ery. 
The nest is constructed on the ground, under a tuft of grass.” 
Professor Barboza du Bocage has received two specimens from 
Angola, but without any indication of their exact locality. 
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