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Show 614 MR. R. B. SHARPE ON THE [NOV. 1 7, 2. A Study of the Larks of Southern Africa. By R. BOWDLER S H A R P E , F.L.S., F.Z.S., Senior Assistant; Zoological Department, British M u s e u m. [Received October 6, 1874.] (Plates LXXV. & LXXVI.) Having lately had occasion to revise some of the families of birds for a new edition of Layard's ' Birds of South Africa,' I found that few presented such difficulties as the Alaudida. South Africa is the home of the Larks, possessing no less than nine genera and twenty-two species ; but the greatest confusion exists with regard to the latter, and it has been the object of the present paper to reduce them to order. The superabundance of species has arisen in a great measure through the fact of most of the Larks of South Africa having a very distinct winter plumage, which has been regarded as specifically distinct; while at the same time I believe that there are not present in South Africa European genera such as Alauda &c. The following table of genera has been compiled with a special view to determining the South-African genera, certain European and Asiatic forms being placed in order to indicate their affinities ; but, from want of perfect specimens in some instances, I have no doubt that modifications may be expected in the Asiatic genera. M y main object, however, has been to elucidate the characters of such forms as come within the limits of the present essay. I have to return m y thanks to Canon Tristram, Captain Shelley, Mr. T. E. Buckley, and Mr. J. H . Gurney for the loan of specimens. In addition to their collections, the basis of this essay rests upon the series in my own cabinet and that of the British Museum, whither m y own collection will shortly be removed. Key to the Genera. a. Culmen longer than, or equal to, the middle toe and claw. a'. First primary long, about equal to, or a little longer than, the tarsus. a". Hind claw long and perfectly straight 1. Certhilauda. b". Hind claw rather short and curved. a'". Bill long and slender, measuring from gape to tip about the same as the tarsus 2. Alsmon. b'". Bill short and stout, much shorter than tarsus when measured as above. ai. Nostrils uncovered 3. Heterocorys. bA. Nostrils hidden by bristles 4. Ammomanes. b'. First primary rudimentary, shorter than tarsus 5. Alaudula. c'. First primary feebly developed, not equal to half the tarsus. 6. Ehamphocorys. b. Culmen shorter than middle toe and claw. d'. N o lateral elongated tufts on the head. c" Crest-feathers shorter than tarsus. c'". First primary rudimentary, shorter than inner toe and claw. c4. Distance between tips of primaries and tips of secondaries less than tarsus. |