SOME BIRDS OF THE AIR AND OPEN SPACES 
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Notes. — Also called Black-and-white Swallow, White-breasted Swal- 
low, and White-capped Swallow. Usually in small flocks, inhabiting open 
country in the neighbourhood of rivers and creeks. It is chiefly found 
in the inland districts. Nomadic generally, though at times stationary. 
In cold windy weather it often shelters m numbers in old nesting burrows. 
Food : small insects, caught on the wing. 
Nest . — In a burrow in the vertical bank of a creek, about 2 or 3 feet 
in length, with an oval nesting-chamber at the end which is lined with 
small leaves, grass, and other material. 
Eggs. — Four to six, usually five, pure white. Breeding-season : 
August to December. 
9. Cinnamon Bush-lark Mirafra zvoodwardi Milligan 
Mirafra — native name: woodwardi — B. H. Woodward, a former director 
of Perth Museum, Western Australia. 
Distribution . — Mid-western Australia (Onslow). 
Notes. — Usually in pairs or small parties, inhabiting the plains. When 
flushed, it flies a few yards only with a peculiar jerky flight, often remain- 
ing for a second on quivering wings before suddenly dropping into the 
shelter of the grass. It is one of our finest songsters and is an excellent 
mimic. Like the Horsfield Bush-lark, it has the habit of ascending to 
considerable heights, and there remains hovering in mid-air, or flying 
slowly about, while it pours forth its pleasing song. It sings during the 
day and at night, and is to be heard at its very best during the moonlight 
nights of midsummer. Food : insects and seeds. 
Nest. — A cup-shaped hollow scraped in the ground ; thickly lined with 
dried grasses. Nests are generally well concealed in a tuft of grass. 
Eggs . — Usually four, greyish- white, minutely speckled and spotted 
all over, but chiefly about the larger end, with olive and dull slaty-grey 
markings. Breeding-season: August to December, and even February or 
March. 
10. Horsfield Bush-lark Mirafra javanica Horsfield 
javanica — of Java. 
Distribution — Australia (except the south-western portion). 
Notes. — Also called Skylark. Usually in pairs or small parties, inhab- 
iting open plains, grassy flats, and cultivation paddocks. It is similar in 
habits and economy to the Cinnamon Bush-lark. 
Nest. — Like that of the Cinnamon Bush-lark. 
Eggs. — Usually three, greyish-white or yellowish-grey, thickly 
freckled all over with dark grey or greyish-brown; some eggs have the 
markings confluent towards the larger end, forming a zone. Breeding- 
season : August to December, often as late as February. 
11. Ground-lark (Pipit) Anthus australis Vieillot 
An -thus — Gk, anthos, bird: australis — southern (Australian). 
Distribution . — Australia and Tasmania. 
