abundant of all was, perhaps, the large Calandra Lark, a partial migrant, and wintering in the desert and 
sonthern wilderness, hut breeding in the corn-plains and in the north, especially under Hermon.” 
Mr. Howard Saunders states that the Calandra Lark is “ abundant in the great plains south of Seville, 
where it breeds, making its nest in a depression of the ground, often at the depth of three or four inches. 
The eggs, though small for the size of the bird, are, however, very distinct from those of Gulerita cristata. 
In the Isla Menor, a great place for Bustards, the Calandra is especially abundant.” 
The Rev. A. C. Smith, in his ‘ Sketch of the birds of Portugal,’ tells us that the “ Calandra Lark is 
common everywhere throughout the open plains and fields, and the most favourite cage-bird among the 
inhabitants of villages and towi)s ; they may he counted by dozens in a single street, in their cages outside 
the windows and doors.” 
Mr. Salvin, in his ‘Five months’ Birds’-nesting in the Eastern Atlas,’ remarks: — “The large size of the 
Calandra makes it conspicuous among its congeners in places Avhere the other species are found. It seeks 
the pastures and corn-fields more than Galerita crntata and Calandrella brachydactyla, though in some 
places all three are found together in equal abundance. The number of eggs varies from three to five ; 
they are laid about the second week in May, but some earlier.” 
Lord Lilford writes, “ a few of this species are to he observed in summer in Corfu, where they breed. 
I have never observed this bird on the mainland.” 
Mr. Robson, of Ortakeuy, informed Messrs. Sharpe and Dresser that “ it is common in Turkey in 
Europe, and in Asia Minor. In the winter they associate in large flocks ; and many of them are shot by 
sportsmen for the table, as they are large plump birds, and in much request for eating. They affect 
mountains and large plains, hut seem to prefer hilly tracts, and are found both on cultivated and uncultivated 
ground. They stay over the year, and make their nests on the ground.” “Mr. Gervase F. Mathew,” 
say the same authors, “has kindly sent us the following: — ‘The male, on commencing his song, springs from 
the ground, and with a graceful undulating motion describes a series of large circles, until he rises to an 
immense height ; his song is then clear and beautiful, but at close quarters it is piercing and unpleasant. 
The call-note is loud and harsh, and somewhat similar to that of Emheriza miliaria. At Gibraltar it is 
frequent ; and many are caught on the neutral ground by bird-catchers, who use clap-nets with decoy-birds. 
A heavy price is asked for a good singer.’ ” 
Count Miihle says this “ is undoubtedly the commonest bird in Greece, and enlivens, even before day- 
break, the flat country with its song. Its favourite resorts in summer are dried-up swamps and meadows, 
where cattle graze and, here and there, wild flowers grow. Here it is continually running about after 
insects, and sings incessantly on clods of earth and heajjs of mould thrown out of ditches. When it rises, 
singing in the air, it never soars so high as Alauda armnsis. It nests in open fields, making a carelessly 
formed nest out of grass straws, which contains four or five eggs. Numbers are caught near Patras and 
Missolonghi, and sold at Constantinople. They are very obstinate ; and when caught old, many will not 
sing; therefore young birds are preferred.” Captain Loche describes its note as “loud and agreeable; and 
‘ sings like a Calandra’ means to sing well.” 
Von Nordmann, in his account of this bird in DemidofTs ‘Voyage,’ says: — “During the breeding-season 
the males may be seen pursuing each other with ardour, performing most peculiar aerial evolutions, rising 
to some distance with a very gentle motion of the wings, spreading and shaking the tail, describing 
large spirals, and uttering their sonorous and varied song, which is chiefly borrowed from that of other 
birds.” 
“The eggs of the Calandra Lark vary considerably in size, and are sometimes as small as those of the 
Crested Lark. In Dresser’s collection are eggs from Spain and from Algeria. The largest is a Spanish 
specimen, and the smallest an Algerian example. The ground-colour is dull grey with a buff tinge ; and 
the spots, which are closely scattered, are of two kinds — the underlying shell-markings, which are purplish 
grey and light brown, and the overlying surface-blotches, which are pale umber and nut-brown.” 
Tbe sexes are very similar in outward appearance, the female merely differing in being slightly smaller 
and having the black spots on the breast rather less conspicuous. 
The figures are about the size of life. 
