90 Major J. Biddulph on the%Birds of GiJgtt. 



181. Alauda guttata, Brooks. 



This Skylark is a summer visitant only, appearing at 

 the end of March and leaving about October ; the first 

 specimen was obtained on the 29th March, the same day 

 as the last of A. dulcivox. One specimen was obtained in 

 September, on the 27th, but none later. In males the 

 wing measures from 3| to 4^ inches. I have never pro- 

 cured one yet with a wing measuring fully 4j. In females 

 it does not exceed 3|, tarsus |. Bill at front from -^q to 

 nearly \ inch. 



Of the developed primaries the second is slightly longest, 

 first and third subequal; sometimes all three are subequal ; 

 the fourth is -^ inch shorter than the second. Tertiaries 

 reach to less than | inch from the primaries. In summer 

 the outer web of first primary is rufous. Tail more furcate 

 than in A. dulcivox, from which it is generally distinguished 

 by its darker colour and smaller wing. Outer tail-feathers 

 white, and not fulvescent. 



In one specimen, a female shot in September, the plu- 

 mage is fresh and perfect, showing broad pale edgings on 

 the tertiaries, which are rounded, the edgings of the pri- 

 maries are more rufous, the outer web of the first large 

 primary being rosy, the patch behind the eye is fulvescent 

 instead of white, and the dark markings on the breast are 

 more shaded off and not so decided, the centre tail-feathers 

 are black instead of dark brown, and the outer tail-feathers 

 fulvescent white. Wing 3^ inches, tail 2|, tarsus |, bill at 

 front ^. Of the large primaries the second and third are equal, 

 and first and fourth are equal, with f inch between the tertiaries 

 and primaries. The legs are much more transparent-looking 

 than in the other specimens, all of which are in worn and 

 faded plumage, with the feathers much abraded. 



The distinctions pointed out by Brooks between A. gut- 

 tata and A. gulgula hold good, except that the tendency 

 of the spots to coalesce at the sides of the breast, which the 

 specific name has reference to, is not at all well marked. The 

 most notable distinctive points are the albescent hue of the 

 plumage of the underparts and the larger size. 



