AMMOMANES CINCTUEA ABENICOLOR 279 



be said to occur in greater or lesser numbers, although owing to the 

 fact of its plumage harmonising so wonderfully in colour with its 

 environment the bird may often escape notice. 



In Algeria A. c. arenicolor appears to be not uncommon in the 

 southern districts which correspond with those where it occurs in 

 Tunisia. In Marocco it probably also occurs in some of the inland 

 desert-districts, although I have no positive information as to this. 

 From Tripoli I have numerous specimens of this Lark, obtained by 

 Mr. E. Dodson in districts both in the east and the west of that 

 country. In coloration these are identical with specimens from 

 Tunisia. The species is recorded as having occurred in Malta, Mr. 

 C. A. Wright having obtained an example of it there in April, 1867. 

 In its habits the present species, though in some ways resembling 

 A. d. algeriensis, differs in being more shy and less confiding. It 

 is generally to be met with either singly or in pairs, but at times, 

 after the breeding season is over, it may be found in small flocks. 

 Mr. Dodson, writing of these Larks in Tripoli, says in his diary under 

 date of July 7th : " They are all in flocks now, frequently combining 

 with the Horned Larks (0. bilopha)." 



The flight of this Lark is rather feeble, but it will at times soar 

 up into the air and may be heard singing there, its song being rather 

 shrill, and unlike that of most other Larks. 



I have no nest or eggs of the species in my collection, but 

 according to Dr. Koenig (J. f. 0. 1895, p. 281), the former is a neat, 

 compactly built structure, composed of dry grasses and plant stems, 

 lined with wool, and surrounded by small stones. The eggs, usually 

 three in number, are pure white, with rose-brown spots and violet 

 shell-marks, forming a zone at the larger end. Average measurements 

 19 X 14 mm. 



Mr. Hartert (Die Vogel der Palaarktischen Fauna, p. 224) has 

 united the Desert Larks of the genus Ammomanes with a dark-tipped 

 tail under the specific name of A. phcenicura (Franklin), this being 

 the oldest name. I am inclined to think, however, that the small 

 Desert Larks of the Western Palsearctic region form a group of 

 their own, and that they should be kept apart from A. j^hoenicura, 

 which, although having a dark-tipped tail, appears to belong to a 

 totally different species. The mere fact of the dark-tipped tail being 

 a character common to all is not in itself sufficient to warrant their 

 being united specifically. 



