The present species of bunting was introduced to science as Emberiza impetuani by Dr Andrew Smith in the report on the results of the expedition led by him for the exploring of central Africa from the Cape of Good Hope in 1836 on material collected in 1834 in the country to the north of Kuruman in the northeastern northern Cape. The species is virtually confined to the relatively harsh South West Arid Zone with peripheral, local and largely seasonal extensions in mesic but ecologically suitable country to the east of the main range. The Larklike Bunting affects relatively arid, often stony terrain with sparse grass, low scrub and few trees as cover, and appears to be no more than locally nomadic when not breeding. Many populations are, however, on occasion subject to major eastward movements in years when drought and protracted winter cold occur over the steppe-like plateau regions normally affected by it (see Irwin 1981).