24 CERTHILAUDA ALBOFASCIATA. 



pi^ojecfcing lump of earth or bit of coarse stunted grass. Eggs 

 three, very variable in colouring, the ground colour being 

 white, more or less distinctly speckled and blotched with 

 brownish ash or brown. They measure 07 x 0'5 inch. In 

 some the markings are fine, in others they take the form of 

 large obscure blotches." 



In the Transvaal Mr. T. Ayres found these Larks in the 

 open country in small companies, rising abruptly and as 

 abruptly settling down again in the grass ; and when on the 

 wing they constantly uttered a low chirping note. He found 

 a nest of this Lark at Mamusa, some little distance fi'om the 

 river ; it was placed under a tuft of grass and was composed 

 of rough grass outwardly, lined with roots of fine grass, and 

 partially arched over with the rough grass of which the outer 

 portion of the nest was constructed ; it contained two eggs, 

 one of which was larger than the other. 



"With regard to its habits, the late Dr. Stark writes : " Like 

 the other Long- billed Larks, this species keeps much to the 

 ground in rather open stony localities. Here it runs with 

 great swiftness, and endeavours to escape detection by 

 suddenly stopping and crouching on the ground in spots that 

 assimilate in colour with the plumage, and this manoeuvre is 

 frequently successful. The flight of this Lark is undulating; 

 its note is a clear and prolonged whistle." The specimens 

 I have seen from Great Namaqualand are very much paler 

 and of a more sandy shade than those from Natal and the 

 Transvaal, while examples of an intermediate colouring come 

 from Cape Colony; and I agree with Dr. Sharpe's opinion 

 that " the difference in depth of colouration probably depends 

 upon the habitat of the birds themselves and the nature of 

 the country they frequent." 



