MIRAFRA SABOTA. 



brown, the edging of the outermost feathering of each side broadest, and of 

 a rusty tint. Eyebrows and under eyelids pale cream-yellow ; ear coverts 

 dull reddish orange, tinged with reddish brown. Bill, upper mandible and 

 tip of lower, light reddish brown, rest of lower sienna-yellow. Legs, toes, 

 and claws sienna-yellow, tinted with flesh-red; claws faintly shaded with 

 light reddish brown. 



Form, &c. — Figure moderately robust. Head small ; bill moderately long 

 and subconical, the culmen considerably curved towards the tip. Wings 

 rounded, and when folded reach to the commencement of the second half of 

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

 a little shorter than the third, the first rudimentary ; the tertiary quill feathers 

 nearly as long as the primaries, and longer than the secondaries. Tail even, 

 or in the slightest degree rounded. Tarsi and toes robust, the latter anteriorly 

 and posteriorly scutellated ; claws of the front toes short, strong, and slightly 

 curved ; claw of the hinder toe long, rather slender, and slightly curved. 



Inches. 

 Length from tlie point of the bill to 



the tip of the tail 6 



of the bill 



of the wings when folded ... 3 

 of the tail 2 



The male is coloured like the female, only the tints are clearer. 



This lark was procured on the arid Karroo plains nortli of Latakoo, and was found in 

 tolerable abundance towards the tropic of Capricorn. It was generally observed in localities 

 abounding with small shrubs, on which it was frequently observed to perch, particularly in 

 the early part of the morning, when it was in the habit of practising, like its congeners, vertical 

 flio-hts into the air. It whistles occasionally, especially when perched upon the underwood ; 

 but there is nothing in its note to attract attention. 



This species, in point of size, resembles Mirafra Africanoides, but is readily distinguished 

 from it by its not having the quill feathers broadly edged with reddish orange. 



