ALAUDA LAGEPA. 



Form, &c. — Figure moderately robust. Head rather large ; bill elongated, 

 subconical, rather slender and pointed, the culnien slightly arched from the 

 base ; wings rounded, and when folded, reach to the commencement of the 

 second third of the tail, the fourth and fifth quill feathers equal and longest, 

 the third rather shorter than the fourth, the second shorter in a like propor- 

 tion to the third, the first about an inch in length ; the tertiary quill feathers 

 rather shorter than the primary ones, and slightly longer than the secondary 

 quill feathers. Tail even, or very slightly rounded. Tarsi and toes short, and 

 moderately strong, the former anteriorly and posteriorly scutellated ; claws of 

 front toes short, and slightly curved, claw of hinder toe elongated, slender, 

 and slightly arched. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Inches. 

 Lengtli from the point of the bill to 



the tip of the tail 6 



of the bill 



of the wings when fuldej ... 3 

 of the tail 2 



Lines. 



6 

 9 



Inches. Lines. 



Length of the tarsus IO5 



of the outer toe 3 



of the middle toe 5 



of the inner too U 3 



of the hinder toe 3 



of tlie claw of hinder toe ... 4^ 



The colours of the female the same as those of the male only not so bright. 



This species is thinly distributed between the Berg and Orange Rivers, close to the western 

 coast, and specimens are usually found on sandy or Karroo plains, which are sparingly covered 

 with brushwood. It whistles occasionally in the mornings, soars like true larks, and on 

 descending from its aerial flights, commonly perches on the shrub nearest to the point where it 

 descends. It consumes as food seeds and small insects. 



