PYREHULAUDA VERTICALIS. 



innermost toes rather longer than the hinder one, but shorter than the middle 

 one ; claws nearly straight, that of the hinder toe longest. 



DIMENSIONS 



Inches. Lines. 

 Length from the point of the bill to 



the tip of the tail 5 6 



ofthebiU 5i 



of the wings when folded 3 2 



ofthetail 2 3 



Lensi;h of the tarsus 



the middle toe., 

 the outer toe . . . . 

 the hinder toe . 

 the hinder claw. 



Female. — Above dusky brown, all the feathers more or less broadly mar- 

 gined with a colour somewhat intermediate between ochre-yellow and wood- 

 brown ; quill feathers intermediate between broccoli and wood-brown ; the 

 tertiaries and a few of the innermost secondaries margined externally and 

 tipt with pale sienna-yellow. The outermost tail feather of each side pale 

 cream-yellow, with a dash of brown near the inner edge of the inner vane ; 

 the second feather margined externally with pale cream-yellow, the two 

 middle feathers approaching to wood-brown, their edges and tips lightest, 

 the remaining feathers of a uniform umber-brown. Ej'e-brows rusty white ; 

 chin and throat dull white ; breast rusty white with brown spots ; middle of 

 the belly brownish black ; sides of the belly and flanks dirty white, here 

 and there clouded with dusky tints. 



The colours of the young bird are nearly similar to those of the female, 

 only the edgings of the feathers, particularly those of the head and shoulders, 

 are more defined and contrast stronger with the general colour than they do 

 in the female. 



This species, like Pyrrhulauda australis, inhabits the extensive arid plains of the more 

 southern districts of South Africa, and like it, congregates in large flocks. When feeding, the 

 numerous members of these flocks are widely scattered ; but the moment one individual takes to 

 flight from alarm, all the others follow the example, and they move off in a body to another 

 locality. It is not their custom to fly far before they come to a halt, and the instant they reach 

 the ground they scatter in all directions, and run to and fro with great rapidity. When flying 

 they pursue a slightly undulating course, and on these occasions they frequently utter cries 

 similar to what they do when running upon the ground, and which consist of a shrill prolonged 

 chirp, nearly like to the sound which may be produced by shutting the teeth and drawing in 

 the breath while the lips are alternately pressed together and opened. Soaring appears to be 

 less practised by this species than the last ; yet, nevertheless, individuals are occasionally to be 

 seen rising in the air and descending again almost perpendicularly. Like P. australis, it feeds 

 upon the seeds of grasses, &c. 



