82 
allen’s naturalist’s library. 
tiie calandra larks, genus melanocoryrha. 
Melanocorypha, Boie, Isis (1828), p. 322. 
Type, M. calandra (Linn.). 
T he Larks composing this genus are birds of large size and 
are peculiar to Southern Europe and the Mediterranean 
countries, extending eastwards to Southern Russia, and south 
to Abyssinia. Species of the genus are also found from Pales- 
tine and Asia Minor through Persia to Central Asia and North- 
western India, while some extend from the Eastern Himalayas 
to ihibet, and one at least inhabits Western Siberia and 
Northern China. 
I he Calandra Larks are generally recognised by their large 
size and very stout bills. The wing is more pointed than in 
the majority of the Larks, the secondaries not reaching to 
the tips of the primaries as in most of the members of this 
family. 
Ihe Calandra Lark of Southern Europe, Melanocorypha 
calandra , has been chronicled in some lists of British Birds on 
the strength of two specimens “ recognised in the shops of bird- 
stuffers in Devon port and Exeter respectively ; but the evidence 
is not sufficient to warrant the introduction to the British I ist 
of a species which is very tolerant of confinement, and is one 
of the commonest cage-birds in Spain and Italy.” (Reward 
Saunders .) ' 
THE WHITE-WINCED LARK. MELANOCORYPHA SIBIRICA. 
Alauda sibirica, Gm, S. N., i„ p. 799 (1788) ; Seeb., Br. B. ii. 
p. 279 (1884); Saunders, Man., p. 247 (1889). 
Melanocorypha sibirica , Newt., ed. Yarr., i., p. 642 (1874V 
Dresser, B. Eur., iv., p. 373, pi. 240 (1873); b'. O lb 
List Br. B., p. 73 (1883); Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus 
P- 557 (1890). 
Melanocorypha leucoptera, Lilford, Col. Fig. Br B pt xvi 
(1890). ’ • H • - ■ 
Adult Male.— Brown, streaked with black, the upper tail- 
coverts more rusty; lesser wing-coverts and primary-coverts 
bright rusty-red, forming a shoulder patch ; remainder of wing- 
coverts and quills dark brown, with rust-coloured margins ■ 
