MOTACILLID^ MACRONYX 237 



the tarsus in length; the outstretched feet reaching beyond the 

 end of tail. The hind claw very long and slightly curved, usually 

 exceeding its toe in length. Plumage : below, orange, lemon- 

 yellow or pink with a black gorget ; above, brown streaked with 

 darker brown or dusky Sexes alike. 



This genus contains four African species. In their habits 

 they resemble the true Pipits and Larks. They spend most 

 of their time on the ground, searching for insects and small 

 seeds, but if alarmed usually perch on bushes. They build cup- 



Macronyx croceus. 



shaped nests of dry grass on the ground, and lay from three 

 to five large speckled eggs which resemble in colour those of the 

 Pipits. In his " Dictionary of Birds," Professor Newton has 

 drawn attention to the curious resemblance in colour between the 

 species of this genus and those of the genus Sturnella, a group of 

 American birds belonging to the very distinct family of the Icteridce. 

 Although placed in distinct families by systematists, the species of 

 the two genera resemble one another in their general habits, and 

 both are popularly known as " Larks" in their respective habitats. 



