THE BIRDS OF INDIA. I95 



It is found throughout India, and breeds from INIarch to 

 June on the ground, under cover of a tuft of long grass or 

 a stone. 



The eggs vary in number from three to five ; the ground 

 colour is greyish white, with many brown spots, streaks, 

 and lines. 



This lark, like its English namesake, soars when singing, 

 and is in great request as a delicacy for the table, enormous 

 numbers being captured for that purpose, so that in some 

 quarters it has become visibly scarce within the last few 

 years. 



Crested Lark. — This bird has a wide habitat, and 

 extends into Central and Western Europe. It is of a pale 

 earthy-brown colour, redder above than below, wuth dark 

 mesial lines to the feathers; the lower parts are whitish, 

 with a few pale brown streaks on the breast ; the bill is 

 yellow. In total length it measures 7i inches, 2| of which 

 belong to the tail. 



It is of common occurrence in the Deccan, but is not 

 known in Bengal or in the Himalayas ; it generall}^ fre- 

 quents sandy plains, and rises w^hen singing, but not to such 

 an elevation or for so long a time as the last. 



The nest is made on the ground, and contains four or five 

 eggs of a yellowish white colour, with small greyish yellow 

 spots scattered over the surface. 



It is frequently caged on account of its song, and has 

 considerable imitative power. 



Madras Bush Lark.— The plumage in the case of this 

 species is dusky brown above, with reddish edging ; the ear 

 coverts are pale rufous brown, tipped with a darker shade 

 of the same ; the under parts are greyish white, with large 

 oval white spots on the breast. In full length it measures 

 about 6 inches, the tail taking up 1|. 



It is of common occurrence on the Malabar coast, Carnatic 



