mirafra sabota. 
brown, the edging of the outermost feathering of each side broadest, and of 
a rusty tint. Eyebrows and under eyelids pale cream-yellow ; ear coverts 
dull reddish orange, tinged with reddish brown. Bill, upper mandible and 
tip of lower, light reddish brown, rest of lower sienna-yellow. Legs, toes, 
and claws sienna-yellow, tinted with flesh-red ; claws faintly shaded with 
light reddish brown. 
Form, &c.— Figure moderately robust. Head small ; bill moderately long 
and subconical, the culmen considerably curved towards the tip. Wings 
rounded, and when folded reach to the commencement of the second half of 
the tail, third, fourth, and fifth quill feathers nearly equal and longest, second 
a little shorter than the third, the first rudimentary' 5 the tertiary quill feathers 
nearly as long as the primaries, and longer than the secondaries. Tail even, 
or in the slightest degree rounded. Tarsi and toes robust, the latter anteriorly 
and posteriorly scutellated ; daws of the front toes short, strong, and slightly 
curved ; claw of the hinder toe long, rather slender, and slightly curved. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Inches. Lines. 
Length from the point of the bill to 
the tip of the tail 6 1 
of the hill 0 71 
of the wings when folded ... 3 3 
of the tail 2 3 
The male is coloured like the female. 
Inches. Lines. 
Length of the tarsus 1 q 
of the outer toe 0 31 
of the middle toe 0 5 ^ 
of the inner toe 0 31 
of the hinder toe 0 3 
of the hinder claw 0 31 
only the tints are clearer. 
This lark was procured on the arid Karroo plains north of Latakoo, and was found in 
tolerable abundance towards the tropic of Capricorn. It was generally observed in localities 
abounding with small shrubs, on which it was frequently observed to perch, particularly in 
the early part of the morning, when it was in the habit of practising, like its congeners, vertical 
flights into the air. It whistles occasionally, especially when perched upon the underwood ; 
but there is nothing in its note to attract attention. 
This species, in point of size, resembles Mirafra Africanoides, but is readily distinguished 
from it by its not having the quill feathers broadly edged with reddish orange. 
