CALANDRELLA STARKI. I35 



Larks were mucli more plentiful than nsnal ; on the open flats 

 near Potchefstroom one put them up at almost every step." 



I have come to the same conclusion as Dr. Sharpe did 

 (P. Z. S.J 1874, p. Gol) that G. conirostris is subject to consider- 

 able seasonal change in the plumage, but this does not account 

 for the different size and form of the bills, and I may cite as 

 a very similar case, Mirafra ncevia and M. sabota. 



In my opinion two allied but distinct species have been 

 referred to Spizocoris conirostris in the British Museum collec- 

 tion, and I cannot do better than name them after my two 

 friends, the late Dr. A. C. Stark and Mr. W. L. Sclater, in 

 acknowledgment of the services to science rendered by them in 

 their joint woi'k on the Avifauna of South Africa. 



Calandrella starki, sp. nov. (Pi. 22, fig. 2.) 



Alauda conirostris, Gurney in Anderss. B. Dam.-Ld. (note) p. 193 (1872) 



Otjimbiitque. 

 Spizocorys conirostris, pt. Sharpe, Cat. Birds B. M. xiii. p. 564 (1890). 



Adult. Very similar to the pale form of C. conirostris, but with a larger 

 bill. Above mottled, sandy buff with brown centres to the feathers, the 

 shaft-bands rather narrower and darker on the crown, which is somewhat 

 crested ; outer edge of the first primary buff; tail as in G. conirostris, outer 

 feather creamy white, with a large dusky patch on the inner web reaching 

 nearly to the end of the feather ; penultimate feather with the outer web 

 and end white, next feather with a partial narrow outer edge white ; sides 

 of head white, shading into pale brown on the ear-coverts and slightly 

 mottled with brown on the cheeks ; under parts white, faintly washed with 

 sandy brown on the crop and flanks ; a few brown spots and streaks on the 

 crop and some faintly indicated streaks on the flanks ; under surface of 

 quills dusky with the inner edges and the under wing-coverts rufous tinted 

 white. " Iris hazel ; bill pale ashy with the culmen light brown ; tarsi and 

 feet pale flesh-colour " (T. Ayres). Total length 4-7 inches, culmen 0-45, 

 wing 3-1, tail 1-9, tarsus 0'7. 24. 5. 64. Wilson's Fountain, Great 

 Namaqua (Andersson). 



Stark's Short-toed Lark inhabits Damara and Great 

 Namaqualands, and the Transvaal. 



