CERTHILAUDA SEMITORQUATA. 
nostrils small, opening laterally, not covered either by bristles or feathers, but 
bounded superiorly by a prominent bare membranous lid. Lar-coverts, wiry 
and decomposed. Wings rounded, and, when folded, reach to the commence- 
ment of the second half of the tail : the first quill rudimentary, the third 
and fourth equal and longest, the fifth almost the same length, the sixth a 
little shorter and but very little longer than the second ; the longest of the 
tertiary quill feathers about two lines shorter than the six primary quill 
feathers. Tail feathers nearly of equal length. Legs and toes rather robust, 
the former scutellated anteriorly and externally, internally towards hinder 
edge entire. Claws of toes directed anteriorly, slightly curved, and of 
moderate length ; the claw of hinder toe, long, strong, slightly curved, and 
directed obliquely upwards and backwards. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Id. 
Lines. 
In. 
Lines . 
Length from the point of the bill to the 
Length of the tarsus 
i 
i 
base of the tail 
7 
9 
outer toe 
0 
H 
from the point of the bill to the angle 
middle toe 
0 
6 
of the mouth 
1 
2 
inner toe 
0 
4 
3 
6 
hinder toe 
0 
of the wings, when folded 
4 
2 
hinder claw 
0 
H 
The colours of the male are rather brighter than those of the female ; in 
other respects, the external appearances are the same. 
Inhabits avid plains in the interior of Southern Africa, and when disturbed in one place 
flies to another not very distant. It has but few of the habits of the larks. 
