The breeding Sanson extends over November and December. During thai time it lays four eggs 



|n R aimiUr m eharaet | r to that of the Long- Hilled Reed- Warbler, and, like it, placed between 



Be^enJ Upright reeds, at aboul eighteen inches or two feet above the water. The eggs are greyish-white, 

 blotched all over with yellowish-brown and bluish-grey. 



\\\ the upper Burface is olive-brown ; wings and tail, dark brown, margined with olive-brown ; 

 Under BUrfaoe, light buff, becoming white in the chest and throat; bides, light brown; patch over tin 

 eye, white; hill, legs and feet, black. 



Habitat-: N". W South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. 



( ; I i NUS MIR A F R A ( Horsjield ). 



OX I ,Y one distinctly defined species <>f this form inhabits Australia, though some naturalists consider 

 that there aii- two. 



MIKAFRA HORSFIELDII (Gould). 



//< WSFIELUS BUSH-LARK. 



r Ml I IS i> the nearest approach in Australia to the Skylark of Europe; but there is a very large 

 difference between the two birds, both in appearance and habits. 



The species under notice is pretty generally distributed over the plains of the interior of the 

 eastern portion of Australia. 



Specimens obtained in Queensland differ slightly from those of New South Wales, a fact which 

 has le«! -<mie naturalists to divide them into two separate species, though the difference is scarcely great 

 enough to warrant that. 



It is very seldom seen on trees, generally perching on a strong blade of grass, or remaining 

 altogether on the ground, where it will allow itself to be almost trodden upon before rising. 



It> -mii-. which is very melodious, is uttered either while perched on a tree, or when on 

 the wing. 



The general plumage is brownish -grey, with a spot of dark brown in the centre of each feather ; 

 wings and two centre tail feathers brown ; rest of the tail white ; over the eye is a patch of buffy- 

 white ; chin, white ; under surface, pale buft'y -white ; the throat crossed by a series of dark brown spots 

 arranged in a crescentic form; brides, dark brown; legs and feet, brownish-grey; bill, brownish-black. 



The sexes do not differ either in size or in colourin»\ 



Habitats : Interior of Queensland and Xew South Wales, and part of Victoria. 



