The SHORT-TOED LARK, or CALANDRELLE (_Calandritis brachydactyla_), is a
well-known species, inhabiting Spain and Italy, and differs from that
above described in the comparative smallness of its beak and very short
spurs. The upper portion of the body is of a light clay colour, with a
reddish tint upon the head, and a grey shade here and there upon the
back; the under parts are pale greyish yellow; the wings are bordered
with a darker shade than those of the Calandra Lark, and the spots on
the neck are smaller and fainter than in that bird. Its length is about
five and a half inches, its breadth from ten to eleven inches; the wing
measures three and a half inches, and the tail from two to two and a half
inches.
The Calandrelle is found in considerable numbers, inhabiting all the
plains of Southern Europe, Central Asia, and Western Africa, where it
frequents alike the barren wastes or cultivated districts. The Asiatic
steppes and desert tracts of the South must, however, be regarded as
its actual habitat, and in such localities the resemblance between the
parched herbage or dry ground and the attire of the bird is so deceptive,
that the little creature need but lower its head to become completely
unrecognisable at the distance of a few paces from the spot upon which it
stands. Such of this species as frequent Spain, commence their wanderings
in the early spring, keeping together in enormous flocks until the
breeding season, when they separate into pairs, each couple choosing a
convenient nesting-place, which is not left until the end of summer. The
flight and habits of these birds have some few peculiarities, but in
most respects they closely resemble the rest of the Lark family. When
upon the wing they fly in irregular curves, ascending into the sky, if
we may so describe it, by a kind of _climbing motion_, and descending
at once with the direct impetus and closed wings usually seen in the
earthward course of their congeners. Their song has been humorously
described as "patchwork," and so it actually is, for the performance is
never consecutive, each long, shrill note being followed by an entirely
distinct and unconnected sound, the effect of which is far from pleasing,
especially as their notes are often repeated some twenty times in
succession without the slightest variation beyond an occasional change of
key. Yet, despite the poverty of its own song, this bird is capable of
imitating the voice of its feathered companions with considerable skill,
and may be heard pouring forth its disjointed notes almost during the
whole day, both when upon the ground, or while mounting upwards to the
sky.
The nest of the Calandrelle is carelessly constructed, but very safely
concealed from view; the eggs are grey or pale yellow, marked more
or less distinctly and very variously with reddish brown. At the
commencement of September the annual migrations of these Larks have fully
commenced, and flocks of them may be seen winging their way in immense
masses towards the wooded steppes of Central Africa, literally forming
clouds that obscure the sky, or when they alight covering the entire
ground, very frequently for half an hour at a time. Jerdon mentions their
appearance in India in very similar terms, and tells us that on one
occasion he brought down no fewer than twelve dozen of these birds with
two shots from a double-barrelled gun--a statement for the truth of which
we can fully vouch after our own experiences in Central Africa. Thousands
are also destroyed in Spain, but the increase is so large as to prevent
any serious diminution of their numbers.
* * * * *
The BLACK LARKS (_Saxilauda_) form a group very closely resembling the
Calandra Larks, but recognisable by the peculiarity of their plumage and
the Finch-like form of their beaks.