fifth, and sixth quill feathers nearly equal and longest, the second and
seventh rather shorter, the first about half as long as the second, and narrow;
the tertiary nearly as long as the primary quill-feathers. Tail moderately
long, and slightly graduated, the two middle feathers rather the longest.
Tarsi moderately strong, anteriorly scutellated, posteriorly entire; toes long
and moderately strong, the outer and middle ones united near their base;
claws slightly curved, the claw of the hinder toe longest.
DIMENSIONS.
Inches. Lines. Inches.. T.inpc
Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus . . . . . . 10
the tip of the ta il........... 4 4£ of the outer to e ......... 3
of the bill to the angle of the of the middle toe . . . . ----- 0 mouth.......................... H 0 6 nf tliA lrnipr +no q
of the wings when folded . . 2 1 of the hinder toe . . . . 3
of the ta il.............. 1 9
F emale.— The colours are rather brighter and the proportion of umber-
brown on the back is rather less than in the male. The bill is more delicate
and shorter.
This bird was first discovered upon the grassy plains lying between Latakoo and Kurrichane,
and was found, though sparingly, to the northward of the latter. It feeds on the ground,
always in situations fully supplied with long grass, and seems to hold an analogous place in
the districts it inhabits to that which D rym o ic a t e x tr ix holds in the more southern latitudes.
From its generally occurring in situations where few if any shrubs exist, it is not very easy to
procure specimens, as nothing occurs for the bird to perch upon; hence the only chance of
killing it is by firing at it while on the wing. When an individual is discovered, it may be
flushed a second, and perhaps a third time, but after that any further attempts to disturb it
prove fruitless. It feeds upon minute insects.