ALAUDID^. 191 



rainy season at Objimbinque, during my residence there. 

 It congregates in large flocks, and is always found on the 

 ground, unless disturbed, when it flies but a short dis- 

 tance before it again alights, scattering widely amongst 

 the grass in search of its food, which consists almost 

 entirely of seeds. Its flight is undulating ; and occasion- 

 ally an individual may be seen to soar above the rest, 

 descending again very abruptly ; it may sometimes be 

 heard to utter a shrill chirping cry. The nest is con- 

 structed on the ground, under a tuft of grass. 



The iris is dark brown, the legs and toes purplish 

 flesh-colour. 



Measurements of a male : — 



in. lin. 



Entire length 4 10 



Length of folded wing 3 2 



„ tarsus 9 



„ middle toe 5 



„ tail 1 11 



biU 6 



234. Pyrrhulauda australis, Smith. Dark-naped Finch Lark. 



Pyrrhulauda umtralis, Smith's Zool. of S. Africa, pi. 24. 

 „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 422. 



„ „ Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 400. 



This species is not uncommon in Damara and Great 

 Namaqua Land, where it occurs in small flocks during 

 the rainy season. Its habits are similar to those of 

 P. verticalis. 



The bill is light horn-colour, darkest above ; the legs 

 and toes are light flesh-colour. 



