54 NATURAL HISTORY. 



material, but was more perfectly domed over. The eggs, four in 

 number, were much incubated. They measured 078 inches in length 

 by about 0*6 in breadth. 



758.— Ammomanes pTmnkura : Frankl. 



The Rufous-tailed Finch Lark breeds during March and April ; 

 the nest is a mere circular pad, placed in a cavity under a clod of 

 earth, and is composed of grass roots, scantily lined with a few 

 hairs ; the eggs, usually three in number (I once found four), are 

 very variable in size, shape and color, but are usually longish ovals, 

 measuring 085 inches in length by about OG2 in breadth, and are 

 usually yellowish-white in color, with specks and spots of reddish 

 or yellowish-brown. 



760. — Pgrrhulauda grisea : SCop. 



I found nests and eggs of the Black-bellied Finch Lark in each* 

 month throughout the year, with the exception of July and August. 

 The nest, which is a soft pad, with a depression for the eggs, is placed 

 in a footprint or slight hollow in the ground, under the shelter of a 

 clod of earth or tussock of grass. The eggs, two in number, occa- 

 sionally ihree, are moderately long ovals, of a dingy or greyish-white 

 color, thickly speckled, sprinkled and spotted with yellowish-brown. 

 They measure O7o inches in leDgth by about 0*55 in breadth. 



705. — Spizalaiida (leva : Sykes. 



The Southern Crown-crest Lark breeds during July, August and 

 September ; the nest is placed on the ground in the centre of, or under 

 the shelter of, a tussock of grass, and is composed of grass roots and 

 fibres ; it is of a shallow cup-shape. The eggs, two or three in num- 

 ber, quite as often one as the other, are oval in shape, pointed at one 

 end, and are of a dingy white colour, profusely spotted and speckled 

 with yellowish and earthy brown. They measure O'oG inches in 

 length by about 0*63 in breadth. 



767. — Alauda gulgula : Frankl. 

 The Indian Sky-lark breeds during the month of July, possibly 

 both earlier and later, but July is the only month in which I have 

 obtained eggs. The nest, composed of fine grass, is placed in a de- 

 pression in the ground, and the eggs, three or four in number, are 

 moderately broad ovals, of a dingy or greyish- white colour, spotted 

 and speckled with yellowish-brown and purplish-grey. They measure 

 08 inches in length by about OG in breadth. 



