Loi’d Lilford notes that it abounds, with other Larks, near Aranjuez, in Spain, during the month of May, 
that In Portugal it is said to be common throughout the country, and that in Corfu and Epirus it is very 
numerous at all seasons. 
The Rev. H. B. Tristram records that it is “ common in the more barren districts of Palestine, is a 
summer migrant, revisiting the central country late in the spring, and not occurring in the plains or desert 
in the winter.” 
“ This,” says Mr. Wright, “ is one of the most characteristic birds of Malta, where, in spring, it may be 
seen hovering over the rocky wastes covered with the aromatic-smelling Tliymus capitatus. In the breeding- 
season (from April to June) it is abundantly spread in pairs all over the island; and the song of the male 
is then constantly heard encouraging its mate in the labours of incubation. Its mode of ascending in the 
air is different from that of the Sky-Lark, consisting of a succession of jerks, which may be peculiar to the 
species. It delights in the wastes and desert tracts of the island. At the commencement of autumn it 
assembles in flocks, which appear to be joined by numerous fresh comers from the north ; but all speed away 
before the winter sets in.” 
The best account of the Short-toed Lark is contained in Mr. Jerdon’s excellent work ‘ The Birds of India.’ 
It is as follows : — 
“ This species is widely distributed throughout Asia, Europe, and Africa, and has even been once killed 
in Britain. It is found throughout India, but is more rare to the extreme south, and has not been observed 
in Ceylon, but is numerous in the Deccan, and thence northwards to the foot of the Himalayas, but not in 
the countries to the eastward. 
“The Short-toed Lark appears in India in October and November in flocks, frequenting the hare grassy 
downs, damp spots near tanks, grain-fields, and ploughed land, and it almost always retires to corn-fields 
or grass for shelter during the heat of the day, whence it would seem not to issue again till next morning, 
for it is seldom seen flying about or feeding in the afternoon or evening. It feeds almost entirely u])on 
seeds, both runs and hops on the ground, and has a call-note like that of the true Larks. Towards the 
end of March in the south (April in the north) of India different flocks often unite into vast troops con- 
taining many thousand birds and quite darkening the air, so close do they keep together even when flying. 
Great numbers are netted in some parts of the country, taken by birdlime, or shot ; for when feeding they 
also keep close to each other. On one occasion, on the cavalry parade-ground at Kamptee, I bagged twelve 
dozen birds, after discharging both barrels, and many wounded birds escaped. They get quite fat about 
this time, are really very excellent eating, and are called “ Ortolan ” by Europeans in India. They leave the 
north of India about the end of April, or beginning of May ; and they breed in the steppes of Central Asia, 
Eastern Russia, and Northern Africa — placing their nest on the ground, at the edge of a scrub or bush, and 
laying four or six eggs, usually marked with grey and rufous spots, but sometimes, it is said, unspotted 
yellowish-brown.” 
Captain Irby states that this Lark is exceedingly numerous in Oudh and Kumaon, where it is caught in 
nets by the natives, and sold to Europeans as “ Ortolan ; ” Captain Beavan that it is common at Maunbhoom ; 
and Mr. Allan Hume that in the lower and central portions of the Duab of the Ganges and Jumna the Short- 
toed Lark is found in countless flocks. 
The sexes are not distinguishable by the colouring of their plumage; but, on a close comparison, the tints 
of the female are found to be somewhat duller than those of the male. 
The top of the head and all the upper surface are of a yellowish or sandy brown, with the centre of each 
feather darker ; quills and tail dusky brown, the two outer feathers of the latter externally edged with 
yellowish white ; a whitish yellow streak over each eye ; throat and abdomen white ; ear-coverts dark brown ; 
on each side of the upper part of the chest a blackish patch, which Mr. Blyth states is always present but 
in newly moulted plumage is but little seen ; chest and flanks tinged Avith yelloAvish brown ; bill and feet 
light brown. 
The young, during the first autumn, have the outer edge of each feather margined with buff, similar to one 
of the birds on the accompanying Plate. 
The figures represent an adult and a young bird, of the natural size. The plant is the Dianthus 
delto'ides, Linn. 
