THE AUSTRALIAN PIPIT 



399 



geographically nearer representatives of the genus. It is very 

 remarkable, either as a chance visitor of unusual plumage, or as 

 an isolated race. 



The Australian Pipit. 



Anthus australis. 



Australia generally and Tasmania. 



Upper surface tawny buff, lighter on tlie head; the outer tail feathers 

 on each side all white; lores and eyebrow white, and a ring of buffy- white 

 feathers round the eye; fore neck and breast spotted with triangular 

 brown marks, rest of under surfaces dull white; bill and legs fleshy 

 brown; iris very dark brown. Total length 6.2 inches, culmen ..56, wing 

 3.45, tail 2.75, tarsus .95. Tasmanian birds more rufous, and with more 

 distinct spots on the breast. 



The Pipit, or Common Ground Lark, is one of the iew birds 

 which are likely rather to increase than diminish in Australia, 

 for the clearing of lands and opening up of the country to 

 cultivation adds ever more and more to its favourite hunting 

 grounds. It is found in undisturbed country on grassy plains, 

 but soon appears even in forest land v^hen a considerable 

 clearing' has been made. About the suburbs of the large tovs^ns 

 it is ciuite familiar, and will allow you to approach quite close 

 before it takes a short flight to settle down a little ahead of you. 

 It is known to the settlers and is rarely molested. Its food 

 consists of insects, and small grass and other seeds, but chiefly 

 the former. The nest is placed in a hollow scraped in the ground 

 usually under a tuft of grass or some other light protection. 

 The eggs, three in number, are of a greyish-white, blotched and 

 freckled with light chestnut-brown and purplish-grey ; .86 x .65 

 inch. The breeding season commences in New South Wales in 

 September, and continues till January, two or three broods 

 being reared in the season. 



Family Alaiididce. 

 Back of the tarsus scutellated, with a series of scales. 

 Cosmopolitan. Australia possesses but one genus. Larks. 



Genus Mirafra. 

 First primary well developed. Nostrils exposed, with a 

 superior membrane. Africa, Madagascar, India, through Malay 

 Archipelago to Australia. 



