NESTING IN WESTERN INDIA. 32$ 



Occasional sp&efc or spot of pale inky-purple or purplish-brown ; the 

 other has a creamy white-coloured ground, and the markings are 

 not so dark or 60 thickly set ; between these two types every possible 

 combination occurs. 



As a rule the markings consist of specks and tiny spots ; occasion- 

 ally an egg is found in which the markings are larger and bolder. 

 In shape the eggs are moderately broad ovals, pinched in a little at 

 one end, and average about 0*8 inches in length, by rather more 

 thau 6 in breadth. They are subject to much variation. 



Deesa, 15th May to 29/// June. H. E. Barnes. 



Neemuch, Hud Jab/. Do. 



Baroda, 23rd April to 28th June. H. Littledale, B. A. 



7G9.— THE LARGE CRESTED LARK. 

 Galerita critfata, Lin. 



The Large-crested Lark is a common permanent resident in Sind. 

 It occurs not uncommonly in Northern Guzerat, where, however, I do 

 not think it remains to breed. The nesting season lasts from the 

 middle of March up to the end of June. The nest, which is usually 

 cup-shaped (occasionally a mere pad), is placed in a hollow in the 

 ground, much in the same way as those of other larks, under the 

 shelter of a tussock of grass, or in the centre of a small scrubby 

 patch of tamarisk or wild caper bush. All the nests I have seen have 

 been more or less well lined with fine grass, the outside being com- 

 posed of grass somewhat coarser. The eggs, three in number, are 

 dingy-white in colour, spotted, speckled, and blotched with yellowish 

 and purplish brown. 



These markings predominate at the larger end, not unfrequently 

 forming an imperfect cap, or zone. They vary greatly in size. 

 Mr. Hume gives the length as ranging from 0*85 to 0*92, and the 

 breadth from 0-65 to 0-69. 



Hyderabad. Sind; March to June. H. E. Barnes, 



Eastern Narra, Sind, April to May. S. B. Doiy. 



770.— THE DESERT FINCH LARK. 

 Alamon desertorum, Stan. 



The Desert Finch Lark occurs in the broad sandy strip of desert 

 at the foot of the hills that divides Sind from Khelat ; even here it is 

 somewhat rare. 



