PYRRHULAUDA VERTICALIS. 
innermost toes rather longer than the hinder one, but shorter than the middle 
one ; claws nearly straight, that of the hinder toe longest. 
Inches. Lines. 
Length from the point of the bill to 
the tip of the tail 5 6 
of the bill 0 5| 
of the wings when folded 3 2 
of the tail 2 3 
Inches. Lines. 
Length of the tarsus 0 7^ 
the middle toe 0 4^ 
the outer toe 0 3| 
the hinder toe 0 3 
the hinder claw 0 3 
DIMENSIONS. 
Female.— Above dusky brown, all the feathers more or less broadly mar- 
gined with a colour somewhat intermediate between ochre-yellow and wood- 
brown ; quill feathers intermediate between broccoli and wood-brown ; the 
tertiaries and a few of the innermost secondaries margined externally and 
tipt with pale sienna-yellow. The outermost tail feather of each side pale 
cream-yellow, with a dash of brown near the inner edge of the inner vane ; 
the second feather margined externally with pale cream-yellow, the two 
middle feathers approaching to wood-brown, their edges and tips lightest, 
the remaining feathers of a uniform umber-brown. Eye-brows rusty white ; 
chin and throat dull white ; breast rusty Avhite with brown spots ; middle of 
the belly brownish black ; sides of the belly and flanks dirty white, here 
and there clouded with dusky tints. 
The colours of the young bird are nearly similar to those of the female, 
only the edgings of the feathers, particularly those of the head and shoulders, 
are more defined and contrast stronger with the general colour than they do 
in the female. 
This species, like Pyrrhulauda australis, inhabits the extensive arid plains of the more 
southern districts of South Africa, and like it, congregates in large flocks. When feeding, the 
numerous members of these flocks are widely scattered ; but the moment one individual takes to 
flight from alarm, all the others follow the example, and they move off in a body to another 
locality. It is not their custom to fly far before they come to a halt, and the instant they reach 
the ground they scatter in all directions, and run to and fro with great rapidity. When flying 
they pursue a slightly undulating course, and on these occasions they frequently utter cries 
similar to what they do when running upon the ground, and which consist of a shrill prolonged 
chirp, nearly like to the sound which may be produced by shutting the teeth and drawing in 
the breath while the lips are alternately pressed together and opened. Soaring appears to be 
less practised by this species than the last ; yet, nevertheless, individuals arc occasionally to be 
seen rising in the air and descending again almost perpendicularly. Like P. australis, it feeds 
upon the seeds of grasses, 8cc. 
