ALAUUIN^. 435 



Bill horny brown, pale beneath ; legs Ileshy brown ; irides dark 

 brown; length (3 to 6^ mchcs ; wing 3^ to 3f; tail 2 to 2^; 

 tarsus 1 ; bill at front -h ; hind toe and claw 1~. 



This species has much the plumage of the Sky -lark of Europe, 

 but is a good deal smaller ; the under parts are generally more 

 rufescent, and there is a stronger tinge of this hue botli on the 

 upper and under surface of the wings ; the outer tail-feathers too 

 are generally tinged with the same. The wing has the fourth laro-e 

 primary barely shorter than the third, and the first three are 

 nearly equal, as in trihorhyncha. 



Hill examples appear to be brighter, and witli more strongly 

 contrasting colours than those usually killed in the plains, and 

 these Hodgson sent* as A. leioptts, but he also appears to have 

 applied this name to the previous species (V. Gray, Cat. Birds of 

 Nepal). Swinhoe has Al. cojUvox, which liiay be tlie same. 

 He compares it with .1. japonica, stating it to be a much smaller 

 species than the Japanese bird. Blyth doubtfully puts it as 

 guhjula. 



The Indian Sky -lark is found throughout the whole of India, 

 frequenting grassy hills, meadows, and fields ; the grassy edges of 

 tanks are favorite spots, and also the bunds of rice fields, in which 

 they often breed. It rises into the air singing, but does not 

 perhaps soar so high as the Lavrock of England. It breeds 

 from March to June, making its nest of grass and hair, on 

 the ground under a tuft of grass ; and laying three or four 

 greenish-grey eggs, Avith numerous brown and dusky streaks 

 and spots. In the cold weather they associate more or less in 

 flocks, and are taken in great numbers for the table. It is 

 particularly abimdant on the Neilgherries, and also in Wynaad, 

 and in Lower Bengal. I did not procure it at Darjeeling. " The 

 son"-," says Mr. Blyth, " very closely resembles that of the 

 British Sky-lark." 



Comparatively few residents in India are aware that a Sky -lark 

 is common in almost every part of India, and when they go to a 

 hill station, observe this bird, perhaps for the first time, with equal 

 surprise and delight. About February many are brought to the 

 Calcutta market, and sold as Ortolan. 



