THE SPARROWS, BUNTINGS AND LARKS. 147 



at heaven's gate, but they try to keep up the tradi- 

 tions of the family by soaring to a little height 

 and then closing their wings and warbling, or whist- 

 ling, as they fall. Jerdon calls them Finch Larks. 

 The commonest is the Black-bellied Finch Lark 

 (Pyrrhidauda grisea)^ a happy little dust-coloured bird 

 with a very squat figure. The breast and underparts 

 of the male are black and there is a black cross on 

 the throat. You may disturb this bird at its dust 

 bath on any of the roads that cross the Flats. The 

 other species is the Rufous-tailed Finch Lark {Ammo- 

 manes phoenicura), a large, dark brown bird, easily 

 recognised by a rich rusty red colour about the tail. 

 It also has a noticeably squat figure, too broad for 

 its size. It goes in pairs and may be seen anywhere 

 in the open region between Tardeo, Worlee, and Parel. 

 All the Larks make their nests on the ground, or 

 rather lay their eggs on the ground, for there is 

 sometimes not much nest. They usually choose the 

 hot season, when the ground is dry, and their dingily- 

 speckled eggs are hard to find. 



