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one shot. It nests in open fields, making a carelessly formed nest out of grass straws, which con- 

 tains from four to five eggs. It migrates in October ; but many coming to us from more northern 

 localities winter in the Morea. It is highly valued as a cage-bird. Numbers are caught near 

 Patras and Missolonghi, and sold at Constantinople, where a singing Calandra is sold for from six 

 to eight colonnads. They are very obstinate ; and, when caught old, many will not sing ; therefore 

 young birds are preferred." Lindermayer's experience of the bird is different from that of Von 

 der Miihle: he states that it is never found in large flocks like the Skylark and Short-toed 

 Lark, but according to his observation always in pairs ; and he proceeds as follows : — " Their 

 favourite places of resort are freshly manured fields, dried-up swamps, and meadows, where they 

 diligently seek after insects and grain. Their song is powerful and melodious, and they are often 

 used as cage-birds, and, indeed, form an article of trade, and are sent in dark cages to Constan- 

 tinople, Smyrna, and Alexandria." Loche thus describes the bird and its habits : — " The 

 Calandra Lark is common in Algeria. In its habits it is solitary, and is never met with in large 

 flocks, but only in small families after the breeding-season, and singly at other seasons of the 

 year. It is wild and wary. Its note is loud and agreeable ; and to say ' to sing like a Calandra ' 

 means to sing well. It has the power of imitating the notes of other birds and, it is affirmed, 

 the cries of some of the mammals. Its food consists chiefly of insects and worms; but it also 

 to some extent eats grain. It is fond of dusting itself in the sand. It rears two broods in 

 the year." 



It is evident, however, that the habits of the present species differ at various times of the year ; 

 for Dr. Taczanowski, who has also travelled in Algeria, says, " They always kept in large flocks, 

 and seemed in general to be rather shy. In March they had not yet separated themselves from 

 their flocks ; but the males were beginning to fly high and sing." Radde, writing from South 

 Russia, says, " A Calandra is rather shy, and builds its nest as early as the end of April. About 

 the end of May the young are fledged. Its song resembles that of the Crested Lark, but is 

 somewhat longer. It flies in short bow-like lines, and does not fly any long distance at once." 

 Von Nordmann gives the following accounts of the species in Demidoff's ' Voyage ' : — " The 

 Calandra Lark is one of the most variable birds, both as regards size and colour of plumage. I 

 have before me individuals of nearly double the usual size, the beaks of which are thrice as long 

 as usual. I have seen accidental varieties, some white and others cream-coloured, the latter very 

 small. The nests of this bird are always on the steppes, and contain four or five eggs. The 

 young birds are much deeper-coloured than the adults. During the breeding-season the males 

 may be seen pursuing each other with ardour, performing most peculiar aerial evolutions, rising 

 to some distance with very gentle motion of the wings, spreading and quavering the tail, 

 describing large spirals, uttering their sonorous and varied song, which is chiefly borrowed from 

 that of other birds. In the autumn they collect in flocks, of which some only, as it seems, 

 migrate southward ; for there are always small flocks wintering in our parts. As Alauda calandra 

 does not frequent mountains, I am disposed to believe, contrary to Mr. Gloger's opinion, that 

 Alauda Mmaculata, discovered by M. Menetries in the mountains of the Caucasus, is a distinct 

 species from this." 



Mr. Osbert Salvin, in his interesting paper, entitled " Six Months' Birds'-nesting in the 

 Eastern Atlas," writes : — " The large size of the Calandra makes it conspicuous among its con- 



