BUSH LARK. 
the most part, and all the time uttering a peculiarly sweet carolling song, 
somewhat like that of the English Skylark, for which they are often mistaken, 
but the notes have a peculiar silvery ring of their own, and it is wonderful that 
such a small bird can cause such a volume of liquid melody to pour forth.” 
Capt. S. A. White writes : “ Is a fairly common bird in the middle north 
of S.A. and can be seen in dozens hovering over the crops or sitting on posts 
and wire fences. Its beautiful song is often heard as it seems suspended over 
some grass-land or crops, then all at once it drops out of sight. Although the 
birds are so numerous it is seldom one finds their nests. In some localities they 
are much more ruddy in coloration than others. The nest is often formed in 
a cattle track and the nesting season is Sept., Oct.” 
Mr. L. G. Chandler states : “ This is a common bird in the crops at 
Frankston. I have seen them at Bayswater, but they are rare there. I 
tliink it probable that the male only soars and sings, but tliis is only surmise 
at present. The bird begins to sing on rising from the ground, and sings 
Avithout a pause till it settles again. They often remain in the air for lengthy 
periods and the descent is made in a number of parachute-like drops of six 
feet or more and finally they drop like a stone for a considerable distance, 
gliding off at an angle to settle in the crop. They sing sometimes on moon¬ 
light nights, and it is splendid to listeir to their glorious notes on a calm evening, 
ffhe English Skylark is well acclimatised here and is plentiful in parts along 
the coast. Li comparison I prefer the Mirafra,” 
Bemey recorded from the Riclmiond District, North Queensland: 
Mirafra secunda. Is Avith us all the year roxmd, but much more numerous 
in summer than in Avinter, and I expect there is a double movement with these 
as Avith the SAvaUows and Black-breasted Larks, the summer residents leaAdng 
us during April. Nests Avith eggs found through January and February, 
my latest date being 26th of the latter month. Has this species been preAuously 
recorded for Queensland ? ” 
Kersey has noted from Dolomite, six miles west of Cloncurry, Western 
Queensland: “ A very common bird in the West, and could be heard almost 
every night. On a still night the flitting of their Avings could be heard distinctly. 
It Avas interesting to notice how closely these birds and the Pipits crouched 
on the ground Avhenever a large bird flcAv overhead. Having taken one’s eyes 
off them for a moment, it is a most difficult matter to locate them again Avhen 
they are crouching or squatting thus.” 
MacgiUivTay, xmder the name Mirafra secunda, has Avritten: “ Mr. 
^McLennan first met Avdth this bird at Sedan in February, 1910. He notes :— 
‘ It has a louder and more varied song than M. horsfieldi, and it is a pleasure 
to listen to it.’ They were evidently breeding, as he saw them carrying 
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