abundant of all was, perhaps, the large Calandra Lark, a partial migrant, and wintering in the desert and
southern wilderness, but breeding in the corn-plains and in the north, especially under Hermon.”
Mr. Howard Saunders states that the Calandra Lark is “ abundant in the great plains south of Seville,
where it breeds, making its nest in a depression of the ground, often at the depth of three or four inches.
The eggs, though small for the size of the bird, are, however, very distinct from those of Galerita crislata.
In the Isla Menor, a great place for Bustards, the Calandra is especially abundant.”
The Rev. A. C. Smith, in his ‘ Sketch of the birds of Portugal,’ tells us that the “ Calandra Lark is
common everywhere throughout the open plains and fields, and the most favourite cage-bird among the
inhabitants of villages and towns; they may be counted by dozens in a single street, in their cages outside
the windows and doors.”
Mr. Salvin, in his * Five months’ Birds’-nesting in the Eastern Atlas,’ remarks:—“ The large size of the
Calandra makes it conspicuous among its congeners in places where the other species are found. It seeks
the pastures and corn-fields more than Galerita cristata and Calandrella bracZydactyla, though in some
places all three are found together in equal abundance. The number of eggs varies from three to five ;
they are laid about the second week in May, but some earlier.”
Lord Lilford writes, “ a few of this species are to be observed in summer in Corfu, where they breed.
I have never observed this bird on the mainland.”
Mr. Robson, of Ortakeuy, informed Messrs. Sharpe and Dresser that “ it is common in Turkey in
Europe, and in Asia Minor. In the winter they associate in large flocks; and many of them are shot by
sportsmen for the table, as they are large plump birds, and in much request for eating. They affect
mountains and large plains, but seem to prefer hilly tracts, and are found both on cultivated and uncultivated
ground. They stay over the year, and make their nests on the ground.” “ Mr. Gervase F. Mathew,”
say the same authors, “ has kindly sent us the f o llo w in g ‘The male, on commencing his song, springs from
the ground, and with a graceful undulating motion describes a series of large circles, until he rises to an
immense height; his song is then clear and beautiful, but at close quarters it is piercing and unpleasant.
The call-note is loud and harsh, and somewhat similar to that of Emberiza miliaria. At Gibraltar it is
frequent; and many are caught on the neutral ground by bird-catchers, who use clap-nets with decoy-birds.
A heavy price is asked for a good singer.’ ”
Count Miihle says this “ is undoubtedly the commonest bird in Greece, and enlivens, even before daybreak,
the flat country with its song. Its favourite resorts in summer are dried-up swamps and meadows,
where cattle graze and, here and there, wild flowers grow. Here it is continually running about after
insects, and sings incessantly on clods of earth and heaps of mould thrown out of ditches. When it rises,
singing in the air, it never soars so high as Alauda arcensis. It nests in open fields, making a carelessly
formed nest out of grass straws, which contains four or five eggs. Numbers are caught near Patras and
Missolonghi, and sold at Constantinople. They are very obstinate; and when caught old, many will not
sing; therefore young birds are preferred.” Captain Loche describes its note as “ loud and agreeable; and
' sings like a Calandra ’ means to sing well.”
Von Nordmann, in his account of this bird in Demidoff’s ‘Voyage,’ says:—“ During the breeding-season
the males may be seen pursuing each other with ardour, performing most peculiar aerial evolutions, rising
to some distance with a very gentle motion of the wings, spreading and shaking the tail, describing
large spirals, and uttering their sonorous and varied song, which is chiefly borrowed from that of other
birds.”
“ The eggs of the Calandra Lark vary considerably in size, and are sometimes as small as those of the
Crested Lark. In Dresser’s collection are eggs from Spain and from Algeria. The largest is a Spanish
specimen, and the smallest an Algerian example. The ground-colour is dull grey with a buff tinge; and
the spots, which are closely scattered, are of two kinds—the underlying shell-markings, which are purplish
grey and light brown, and the overlying surface-blotches, which are pale umber and nut-brown.”
The sexes are very similar in outward appearance, the female merely differing in being slightly smaller
and having the black spots on the breast rather less conspicuous.
The figures are about the size of life.