of the Calcutta District. 53 



53. Anthus rufulus. (Indian Pipit.) 



Very common, resident, and universally distributed in the 

 open country. Breeds throughout March, April, May, and 

 June. The nest is usually an open structure built beneath 

 a clod or tuft or a bush ; but I have found one which was 

 completely domed over, and with a hole at the side for 

 entrance ; and another was completely hidden in some short, 

 thick grass^ and approached by a run through the herbage. 



On one occasion T caught a male bird sitting on the eggs. 

 The nests are made of grass and dry stalks, lined with fine 

 grass and horse- or cow-hair. 



54. MiRAFRA AssAMiCA. (Bengal Bush-Lark.) 

 Common, resident, but met with only singly or in pairs in 



open country. I have found a nest with half-grown young 

 as early as March 30, and another containing fresh eggs on 

 May 3. The nest is domed over, with a hole at the side, 

 and loosely made of dry grass. 



55. Pyrrhulauda grisea. (Ashy-crowned Finch-Lark.) 

 Uncommon and sparsely distributed in the open country ; 



not noticed during the rains, but only in the winter and hot 

 season. 



56. Arachnechthra zeylonica, (Amethyst-rumped 

 Sun-bird.) 



Very common, resident, and universally distributed. Two 

 broods are probably reared in the year, as I have usually 

 found nests with eggs in April and August. The nest takes 

 from a fortnight to three weeks to build, the female doing 

 most of the work. The babool is a very favourite tree 

 for building in, and the nest resembles a lump of rubbish or 

 cobwebs such as is so often seen caught on the ends of the 

 boughs of these trees. On April 20, 1890, I found a nest 

 from which the young ones flew, and on the same day 

 another nest still unfinished. The latest date on which I 

 procured fresh eggs was on September 1. These birds may 

 sometimes be seen exhibited for sale in Calcutta, tied by the 

 legs, with a piece of cotton, to the finger of a native. 



