ALAUDA LAGEPA. 
Form, &c. — Figure moderately robust. Head rather large ; bill elongated, 
subconical, rather slender and pointed, the culmen slightly arched from the 
base ; wings rounded, and when folded, reach to the commencement of the 
second third of the tail, the fourth and fifth quill feathers equal and longest, 
the third rather shorter than the fourth, the second shorter in a like propor- 
tion to the third, the first about an inch in length ; the tertiary quill feathers 
rather shorter than the primary ones, and slightly longer than the secondary 
quill feathers. Tail even, or very slightly rounded. Tarsi and toes short, and 
moderately strong, the former anteriorly and posteriorly scutellated ; claws of 
front toes short, and slightly curved, claw of hinder toe elongated, slender, 
and slightly arched. 
Inches. 
Length from the point of the bill to 
the tip of the tail 6 6 
of the bill 0 9 
of the wings when folded ... 3 7J 
of the tail 2 IO3 
Inches. Lines. 
Length of the tarsus 0 10^ 
of the outer toe 0 3 
of the middle toe 0 5 
of the inner toe 0 3 
of the hinder toe 0 3 
of the claw of hinder toe ... 0 4,1 
DIMENSIONS. 
Lines. 
The colours of the female the same as those of the male only not so bright. 
This species is thinly distributed between the Berg and Orange Rivers, close to the western 
coast, and specimens are usually found on sandy or Karroo plains, which are sparingly covered 
with brushwood. It whistles occasionally in the mornings, soars like true larks, and on 
descending from its aerial flights, commonly perches on the shrub nearest to the point where it 
descends. It consumes as food seeds and small insects. 
