304 MOTACILLID^:. 



Anthus pratensis (Linn.), the Meadow-Pipit, is not unlikely to 

 be found in the north-western parts of the Empire. It bears a 

 close resemblance to A. trivialis, but may be recognized at once 

 by its long hind claw. 



841. Anthus maculatus. The Indian Tree-Pipit. 



Anthus maculatus*, Hodys. in Grays Zool. Misc. p. 83 (1844) ; 



A. Anderson, S. F. iii, p. 358 : Hume, Cat. no. 590; Skarpe, Cat. 



B. M. x, p. 547 ; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 242 ; Oates in Hume's 

 N. 8c E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 209. 



Dendronanthus maculatus (Hodys.), Blyth, Cat. p. 135. 

 Anthus agilis, Sykes, Horsf. 8c M. Cat. i, p. 354 (nee Sykes). 

 Pipastes agilis {Sykes), Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 228 ; Hume, N. 8r E. 



p. 382. 

 Pipastes maculatus (Hodys.), Brooks, S. F. iii, p. 250 ; Anders. 



Yunnan E.vped., Aves, p. 608 ; Scully, 8. F. viii, p. 316 ; Oates, 



B. B. i, p. 171. 



Liku-jitta, Tel. 



Coloration. llesembles A. trivialis, but has the whole upper 

 plumage strongly suffused with green, and the streaks and centres 

 to the feathers much narrower and less well-defined ; the super- 

 cilium is pale fulvous anteriorly and white posteriorly. 



In the summer the green tinge is much subdued, and the super- 

 cilium becomes very white and distinct. 



Bill bluish black, darker above, and yellowish at base of the 

 lower mandible ; iris brown ; legs and feet flesh-colour. 



Generally smaller than A. trivialis, the wing being seldom so 

 much as 3-3, and frequently under 3-2; tail 2-5; tarsus -85. 



Distribution. A winter visitor to the plains of the greater portion 

 of the Empire, being found as far west as the Sutlej valley in the 

 Himalayas and Eajputana and G-uzerat in the plains. This species 

 appears to breed in considerable numbers on the higher ranges of 

 the Himalayas. To the south this Pipit extends down to the Palni 

 hills, and probably to Cape Comorin. Its winter range extends 

 to China and Cochin China. In summer it is found in Siberia, 

 North China, and Japan. 



Habits, Sfc. Breeds in the higher parts of the Himalayas (7000 

 to 12,000 feet) from May to July, constructing a nest of moss or 

 grass on the ground under the shelter of a tussock of grass, and 

 laying four eggs, which are thickly marked with dark brown and 

 dingy purple, and appear to measure about -93 by *68. 



This species and the preceding frequent gardens and localities 

 which are well wooded, feeding on the ground and flying up to a 

 branch when disturbed. They are somewhat social in the winter. 

 The males of both are fine songsters in the breeding-season . 



* Hodgson never described this species himself, and I should, reject this 

 name were a prior one available, which there is not. 



