286 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



Description. — Adult male, spring, from Kasrin, Central Tunisia. 



Upper parts greyish-brown, most of the feathers with dark brown 

 middles, particularly on the crown, back and upper wing-coverts ; lores and 

 superciliary stripes dull white ; primaries dark brown, narrowly margined 

 on outer webs with white ; secondaries dark brown, broadly tipped with 

 white and margined with buff; rump and upper tail-coverts uniform grey- 

 brown ; central rectrices brown, the rest blackish-brown, tipped with white, 

 the outermost pair almost entirely white, and those next adjoining with 

 their outer webs white ; underparts white, except for a large black patch on 

 each side of the neck and a brownish tinge and a few brown spots on the 

 upper breast. 



Iris dark brown ; bill brown ; feet reddish-brown. 



Total length 7-50 inches, wing 5-30, culmen -65, tarsus 1-10. 



Adult female resembles the male in plumage, but has the black neck 

 patches less pronounced, and is smaller in size. 



This large Lark is extremely cotumon throughout the northern 

 and central districts of Tunisia and occurs, although less plentifully, 

 in some of the more southern parts of the Regency. In Algeria and 

 Marocco it is also a common species. 



Like the Short-toed Larks, this species is both resident and migra- 

 tory in Tunisia, considerable numbers of Calandra Larks breeding in 

 certain districts. During the winter months vast flocks of these 

 Larks may be observed frequenting the cultivated fields and open 

 country interspersed with patches of corn-land, where food is no doubt 

 abundant. Later on, when spring sets in, these flocks break up and 

 the birds pair for the breeding season, but like the Short-toed Larks 

 the present species is eminently gregarious, and as soon as nesting is 

 over the birds congregate together again. 



During the breeding season the Calandra Lark sings sweetly, and 

 in spots where the birds are abundant the air is filled with their song. 

 This is remarkably joyous and pleasing, although spoilt to some 

 extent by one or two harsh and grating notes at the end. In Southern 

 Italy the Calandra is greatly prized for its song, and caged birds of 

 this species may frequently be seen. These often acquire the notes 

 of other birds, and I have heard them imitate the notes of the Canary 

 and of the Nightingale. In captivity the Calandra Lark frequently 

 assumes a very dark or melanic coloration, due perhaps to the food 

 given it. I know, however, of one of these birds, at present alive in 

 a cage, which when taken from the nest had the entire plumage black, 



