LARKS 119 



scaling of the hinder part of the leg (tarsus). The 

 majority are difficult of correct identification and concise 

 description, being usually of sombre coloration of some 

 shade of brown. 



Of the Genus Pyrrhulauda, South Africa possesses 

 three species. 



(1) Dark-naped Lark (P. australis) ; with black ear- 

 coverts. 



(2) Grey-backed Lark (P. verticalis) ; ear-coverts white ; 

 back ashy grey. 



(3) Chestnut-backed Lark (P. smithi) ; ear -coverts 

 white ; back dark chestnut. 



All three species have the under-side black. 



They feed on seeds, and build their nests in a hollow 

 under a tuft of grass or small bush, laying three or four 

 white eggs, speckled and blotched with light brown. 



They assemble into flocks during winter, pairing off to 

 build in the spring. 



In the neighbourhood of Brandfort, Orange River 

 Colony, we found the Chestnut-backed Lark fairly 

 common in April, 1906, although it was still in pairs- 



The Genus Mirafra contains a large number of species 

 which do not admit of any concise descriptions, conse- 

 quently we have not the space at our disposal for the 

 necessary detailed account, and must refer the reader to 

 Stark and Sclater, vol. ii., "Birds," in the "Fauna of 

 South Africa" series, for a full account of the family. 

 They usually nest under a tuft of grass or other herbage, 

 building a cup-shaped structure in a slight depression in 

 the soil. We append a photograph of the Rufous-headed 

 Lark, taken near Springfontein, O.R.C. 



