6o 



SOUTH-WESTERN ASIA 



Larks. 



common species, the lower-parts being whitish, with the exception of the russet 

 feathers on the flanks, abdomen, and under tail-coverts. 



The European skylark is replaced in south-western Asia by the 

 short-toed lark (Calandrella brachydactyla), which, like its eggs, is 

 of a pale sandy colour, in harmony with the barren plains on which it dwells. In 

 its mode of flight, and especially in singing as it hovers over one particular spot, 

 this species resembles the skylark, its rich full notes being also like those of 

 that bird, although softer. Its habit of collecting in large flocks at certain times 



^~VTZ. 



- 



DESERT LARK. 



of the year is likewise similar. In addition to southern Europe, this bird 

 inhabits northern Africa, south-western and north-western Asia, especially the 

 districts round the Caspian Sea. According to the climate of the countries it 

 inhabits, it is resident or migratory. Now and then it appears in the British Isles, 

 (Jermany, and the northern countries of Europe as a straggler, its breeding-area 

 extending from the south of France to Turkestan. 



The calandra \-A\\(Melanocorypha calandra) is another member of the group, 

 distributed over southern Europe from Spain to Greece, through Asia Minor and 

 the countries round the Caspian as far east as Turkestan, and also inhabiting 



