614 MR. R. B. SHARPE ON THE [Nov. 1 7, 



2. A Study of the Larks of Southern Africa. By R. Bowdler 

 Sharpe, F.L.S., F.Z.S., Senior Assistant, Zoological 

 Department, British Museum. 



[Keceived October 6, 1874.] 

 (Plates LXXV. & LXXVI.) 



Having lately had occasion to revise some of the families of 

 birds for a new edition of Layard's ' Birds of South Africa,' I 

 found that few presented such difficulties as the Alaudidce. South 

 Africa is the home of the Larks, possessing no less than nine genera 

 and twenty-two species ; but the greatest confusion exists with regard 

 to the latter, and it has been the object of the present paper to re- 

 duce them to order. The superabundance of species has arisen in a 

 great measure through the fact of most of the Larks of South Africa 

 having a very distinct winter plumage, which has been regarded as spe- 

 cifically distinct ; while at the same time I believe that there are not 

 present in South Africa European genera such as Alauda &c. The fol- 

 lowing table of genera has been compiled with a special view to de- 

 termining the South-African genera, certain European and Asiatic 

 forms being placed in order to indicate their affinities ; but, from 

 want of perfect specimens in some instances, I have no doubt that 

 modifications may be expected in the Asiatic genera. My main 

 object, however, has been to elucidate the characters of such forms 

 as come within the limits of the present essay. I have to return 

 my thanks to Canon Tristram, Captain Shelley, Mr. T. E. Buckley, 

 and Mr. J. H. Gurney for the loan of specimens. In addition to 

 their collections, the basis of this essay rests upon the series in my 

 own cabinet and that of the British Museum, whither my own col- 

 lection will shortly be removed. 



Key to the Genera. 



a. Culmen longer than, or equal to, the middle toe and claw. 



a'. First primary long, about equal to, or a little longer than, the tarsus. 



a". Hind claw long and perfectly straight 1. Certhilauda. 



b". Hind claw rather short and curved. 



a'". Bill long and slender, measuring from gape to tip about the same 



as the tarsus 2. Alamort. 



b'". Bill short and stout, much shorter than tarsus when measured as 

 above. 



o 4 . Nostrils uncovered 3. Heterocorys. 



b*. Nostrils hidden by bristles 4. Ammnmanes. 



b'. First primary rudimentary, shorter than tarsus 5. Alauclula. 



c'. First primary feebly developed, not equal to half the tarsus. 



6. Rkamphoeorys, 



b. Culmen shorter than middle toe and claw. 

 d'. No lateral elongated tufts on the head. 



e" Crest-feathers shorter than tarsus. 



c'". First primary rudimentary, shorter than inner toe and claw. 



c 4 . Distance between tips of primaries and tips of secondaries It lis 

 than tarsus. 



