SOME BIRDS OF THE AIR AND OPEN SPACES lgi 
low, and White-capped Swallow. Usually in small flocks, inhabiting 
open country in the neighbourhood of rivers and creeks. It is chiefly 
found in the inland districts. Nomadic generally, though at times 
stationary. In cold windy weather it often shelters in numbers in 
old nesting burrows. Food: small insects, caught on the wing. 
nest. In a burrow in the vertical bank of a creek, about 2 or 3 feet 
in length, with an oval nesting-chamber at the end which is lined 
with small leaves, grass, and other material. 
eggs. Four to six, usually five, pure white. Breeding-season: August 
to December. 
9. Cinnamon Bush-lark Mirafra woodwardi Milligan 
Mira fra —native name: woodwardi— B. H. Woodward, a former director 
of Perth Museum, Western Australia. 
distribution. Mid-western Australia (Onslow). 
notes. Usually in pairs or small parties, inhabiting the plains. When 
flushed, it flies a few yards only with a peculiar jerky flight, often re¬ 
maining for a second on quivering wings before suddenly dropping 
into the shelter of the grass. It is one of our finest songsters and is an 
excellent mimic. Like the Horsfield Bush-lark, it has the habit of 
ascending to considerable heights, and there remains hovering in 
mid-air, or flying slowly about, while it pours forth its pleasing song. 
It sings during the day and night, and is to be heard at its very best 
during the moonlight nights of midsummer. Food: insects and seeds. 
nest. A cup-shaped hollow scraped in the ground; thickly lined with 
dried grasses. Nests are generally well concealed in a tuft of grass. 
eggs. Usually four, greyish-white, minutely speckled and spotted 
all over, but chiefly about the larger end, with olive and dull slaty- 
grey markings. Breeding-season: August to December, and even Feb¬ 
ruary or March. 
10. Horsfield Bush-lark Mirafra javanica Horsfield 
javanica—ot Java. 
distribution. Australia (except the south-western portion). 
notes. Also called Skylark. Usually in pairs or small parties, 
inhabiting open plains, grassy flats, and cultivation paddocks. It is 
similar in habits and economy to the Cinnamon Bush-lark. 
nest. Like that of the Cinnamon Bush-lark. 
eggs. Usually three, greyish-white or yellowish-grey, thickly freckled 
all over with dark grey or greyish-brown; some eggs have the markings 
confluent towards the larger end, forming a zone. Breeding-season: 
August to December, often as late as February. 
11. Ground-lark (Pipit) Anthus australis Vieillot 
An'-thus— Gk, anthos, bird: australis— southern (Australian). 
distribution. Australia and Tasmania. 
