176 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 



In all the other families the hinder aspect of the tarsus is 

 covered by two long " laminae " or thin scales, which run, 

 one on each side of the back edge of the tarsus, from the toes 

 to the tarsal joint. In the Larks this covering consists of 

 several scales on each side, which are set transversely and 

 overlap. 



All the Ceylon forms have ten primaries, the first being 

 always small, and in one form miscroscopic. In some outside 

 genera the first primary is altogether wanting. The wing, 

 as a rule, is somewhat pointed, the head is often crested, but 

 no Ceylon species has a perceptible crest. The shape of the 

 bill varies considerably in the different genera, but the edges 

 of the mandibles are smooth, except for a slight notch in the 

 upper one. The rictal bristles are well developed. 



Larks are found all over the Old World, but only one genus 

 occurs in America and they a^re unknown in Australia. They 

 are somewhat gregarious, and generally frequent cultivated 

 or open grass lands, whUe many are desert-loving species. 

 Three forms, each belonging to a different genus, occur in 

 Ceylon. The main generic distinctions are given in the 

 following key. 



Key to Ceylon Alaudidse. 



A. — Sexes similar ; bill moderate ; length about 6. 



(1) First primary exceedingly minute ; nostrils con- 

 cealed by plumelets ; wing somewhat pointed ; 

 outside tail feather almost entirely white, the next 

 with a whitish outer web and tip ; hind claw long 

 and straight. 



Alauda gulgula australis (Indian Sky Lark). 



(2) First primary nearly half length of second ; 

 nostrils exposed ; wing round ; outside tail feather 

 brown with a rufous-white border on the outer 

 web ; hind claw long and curved. 



Mirafra affinis (Madras Bush Lark). 



B. — Sexes dissimilar ; bill short and deep ; length about 

 5 ; nostrils covered with plumelets ; tarsus short. 



Pyrrhulauda grisea grisea (Ashy-crowned Finch 

 Lark). 



