156 ALAUDA. LARKS. 



central groove. The oesophagus is of moderate width, nearly 

 uniform in diameter, a little contracted at its entrance into the 

 thorax ; the proventriculus oblong with oblong glandules. The 

 stomach is a remarkably powerful gizzard, of a roundish form, 

 somewhat compressed. On each side is a large tendon into 

 which are inserted all round the muscular fibres, which pass 

 from the one tendon to the other. On the edges of the gizzard, 

 w^hich are thick and flattened, the fibres are very large and 

 softer. The muscular fibres are also inserted into the sub- 

 jacent tough coat. The cuticular lining is much thicker and 

 destitute of rugae opposite the muscles, opposite the tendons 

 thinner, transversely rugous, with rugulae at right angles to the 

 rugae. The intestine is of moderate length, rather wide, con- 

 tracts from the pylorus to half its length, then enlarges for a 

 short space, and again contracts. The cceca are very small and 

 cylindrical. The rectum is at first of the same diameter as the 

 intestine, and gradually dilates to form the cloaca. 



The nostrils are elliptical, basal, in the fore and under part 

 of the broad and short nasal membrane, anteriorly marginate, 

 open. Eyes of moderate size ; eyelids feathered, and having a 

 narrow bare crenate margin. External aperture of the ear 

 large, roundish. 



The general form is rather full ; the body ovate ; the neck 

 rather short ; the head oblong, of moderate size. The feet are 

 of moderate length ; the tibia slender ; the tarsus slender, com- 

 pressed, with eight or nine anterior scutella, and about the same 

 number behind. The toes free, slender ; the first about the 

 length of the second, which is slightly longer than the fourth, 

 i , , , , the third consider- 



' '"' ably longer ; — that 



is, without includ- 

 ing the claws. The 

 first claw is ex- 

 tremely long, being 

 about double the 

 length of the first 

 joint, much compressed, slender, tapering to a point, very 

 slightly arched; the rest rather long, slender, compressed, 

 acute, slightly arched. 



