PASSERINE BIRDS. 



197 



THE CALANDRA LARK. 

 The Calandra Lark [Melanocorypha Calandrd), which we select as the type of this group, is 

 the most celebrated of all the species inhabiting Southern Europe. It exceeds most of its congeners 

 in size, the length of its body being from seven to eight inches, its breadth fifteen to seventeen inches, 

 the wing five and a quarter inches, and the tail two and a half inches. The plumage is of a reddish 

 brown, marked with black along its upper portion; the feathers on the wing-covers are tipped with 

 white, thus producing the effect of two distinct white lines ; the shoulder-feathers are bordered with 

 white, and the exterior tail-feathers entirely of that hue. The under parts of the body are whitish 

 yellow, streaked with brown along the upper portion of the breast, and the sides of the neck are 

 marked with an irregular black spot ; the eyes are light brown, the beak and feet horn colour. The 



THE CALANDRA LARK [Melanecorypfta Calandra). 



coat of the young bird is of a reddish yellow upon the back, the individual feathers being edged with 

 a paler shade. The head is marked with round spots, and with one irregular, pale black patch. 



These birds abound in Southern Europe, and occasionally in the south-eastern parts of our 

 continent; they are also met with in Central Asia, North America, Northern Africa, India, and 

 China, being very numerous in the latter country. In Asia the Calandra Lark almost exclusively 

 inhabits the boundless steppes, whilst in other parts of the world it shows no particular preference as 

 to situation, frequenting agricultural districts or ban-en tracts with equal impartiality. Though usually 

 of a social disposition, it separates itself from the rest of its companions during the breeding season, 

 and watches over its little partner with most jealous care ; as soon, however, as the labours of incu- 

 bation are accomplished the various couples again congregate, and form large flocks. Its general 

 habits resemble those described as common to the whole family, the principal difference being that 

 the Calandra Lark, unlike its congeners, frees the seed or corn from the husk before swallowing it. 

 The nest is built of dry stalks or fine roots carelessly woven together, and placed either behind a 

 clod of earth or under a small bush, sometimes amongst corn, a small hollow being always prepared 



