302 



2 



mistaken for any other species. Its whole length is 7*8 inches, wing 4 - 5, tail 2 - 8, beak 1*0, 

 tarsi T05. The form of its bill resembles that of G. arenicola, but, though curved, is not so 

 slender, and is stouter and more compressed at the base. In both species the extremity of the 

 bill is rounded and dilated, instead of running to a point as in other Galeridce. This may pro- 

 bably arise from its habit of constantly digging into the soil for its food, from which cause also 

 the capistra are generally more worn and the nostrils bare. It is very abundant near El Aghouat, 

 where I first remarked it following the labourers in a barley patch, after the manner of a Rook. 

 It appears to be confined to those districts where there is water and cultivation. I was not 

 fortunate enough to meet with it in the breeding-season." Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., writes that 

 he " first remarked this species at Ain-Oussera (where Capt. Loche obtained it), on the 12th of 

 March, at which time they were paired. It seems to be confined, like Calandra, to level plains, 

 whereas Galerida abyssinica is found in the hills. They walk with crest up ; and when one has 

 been on the ground, I have observed it often look upwards at its mate in the sky, singing as it 

 mounted. Of those I shot, one had been feeding upon caterpillars an inch in length; the 

 gizzard of another glittered with the white wings of small beetles. There appears to be a sexual 

 difference not hitherto noticed, viz. that the female is smaller than the male, and much darker." 



Mr. Taczanowski first met with it halfway between Elkantara and the heights of El Outaja, 

 and states that it inhabits only the plains of El Outaja and the neighbouring heights, Biskra, 

 and the edge of the Sahara, near the Oasis. Mr. C. F. Tyrwhitt Drake, however, met with it on 

 the upland plains towards the city of Morocco ; and a specimen he brought home and sent to 

 Canon Tristram for comparison with the type of the species, was stated by the latter gentleman 

 to be darker and more rufous than any he obtained in Algeria. This specimen is now in the 

 Cambridge Museum. Major Loche, who refers to this bird under the name of Megalophonus 

 randonii, writes that " it is very wild, and in localities where it meets the common Crested Lark 

 they fight furiously. The present species is found chiefly in the Sahara, on the plains where 

 Stipa tenacissima, L., abounds. Its nest is carefully concealed, and is most difficult to find. It 

 lays four or five eggs, in shape elongated, greenish white in colour, covered with numerous small 

 brownish red spots, and measuring about 30 by 21 millimetres. It is always found on the ground, 

 and never perches ; its food consists of insects and small seeds. Both male and female incubate 

 in turn." 



The specimen figured (on the same Plate with Galerita isabellina) is one in my collection, 

 obtained in Algeria by Loche, and sent to me by Mr. E. Fairmaire. 



In the preparation of the above article we have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. H. E. Dresser, 

 a, 6 . Sahara (/. H. Gurney, jun). b, ?. Algeria {Fairmaire). c, 6 . Algeria (Verreaux). 



E Mus. H. B. Tristram, 

 a, <5,b, 2. Laghouat, November 11th & 12th, 1856, nos. 896, 897, types (H. B. Tristram). 



E. Miis. Berol. 

 a. Sor {Ehrenberg) , no. 5460. 



