OF VICTORIA. 213 



BUSH-LARK 



(Thick-billed Lark), 



mirafra horsficldi, €rld. 



Mir-af'rd hors-Jield' i. 

 Minis, wonderful ; africus, Africa ; Horsfield, a deceased naturalist. 



Mirafra horsfieldii, Gould, "Birds of Australia," fol,, vol. iii., 



pi. 77. 



Geographical Distribution. — Areas 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9. 



Key to the Species. — Blackish centres to the grey feathers of 

 head and back ; bill very strong and short ; nostrils exposed, 

 with a superior membrane ; planta tarsi (sides and back of 

 tarsus) scutellated. 



Very few people realize that about half the birds they call 

 common Ground-Larks are of this species. Both associate 

 occasionally in the same field, and are then meadow birds. 

 The Bush-Lark has a strong, finch-like bill, with a shorter 

 body than the Pipit, and is just as widely distributed in 

 Victoria. There are said to be two species of Mirafra in 

 our continent, but it is not quite evident to me. Africa is 

 the stronghold of the genus, and that is possibly why it got 

 so named. Certainly it is the only sure species in Australia 

 that belongs to the Alaudidse (Alauda, a great songstress), 

 or true Larks. Our Song-Larks come very close, and, after 

 all has been said, it seems very much a matter according to 

 the views of each systeraatizer. I have heard from this 

 lark most delightful music in the early and late dark hours. 

 Even in the " noon of night " it floats high in the moonlit 

 air and gently breaks the quiet with its rich sweet voice. 

 The song of the British Singing-Lark, now firmly intro- 

 duced, is stronger. 



