Re: Brown Songlark ? in Sandringham, Melbourne

After careful checking I was sure the bird was a Brown Songlark, either
an immature male or a non-breeding male with enough feather wear to make
it look as pale as a pipit.

Having used my 5th edition Simpson and Day (instead of the 2nd) I
withdraw my criticism of all field guides in relation to their depiction
of the posture of the species.  However I'm puzzled about S&D giving the
female's length as 18-23 cm when all my other books say the female is no
longer than 19 cm.

Best of luck to the author of the Hanzab piece on this species !

Michael Norris
Hampton, Melbourne