162 PET BIRDS OF BENGAL 



birds of prey, and the presence of any 

 conspicuous colour on their body would 

 have placed them at a decided disadvantage. 

 The sexes are always alike. 



The Indian Sky-Lark (A. gulgula) is 

 a dark brown bird, each feather being 

 broadly edged with white. There is a deal 

 of white in the tail, visible only during 

 flight. The lower plumage is pale fulvous, 

 the cheeks and throat slightly and the 

 breast boldly streaked with black ; the 

 remainder of lower plumage is very pale 

 fulvous, and at times almost creamy white. 

 The bill is dusky above, lower mandible 

 being greyish horny, faintly yellowish at 

 the tip ; iris dark brown ; legs and feet 

 brownish fleshy. 



Its length is about seven inches, being 

 smaller than the English Sky-Lark. Its 

 size, however, is as variable throughout 

 its great range as the shades of colour 

 which compose its plumage. 



The Bush-Larks are brown birds without 

 any white on their tails. The Singing 



