336 ALAUDID^E. 



likely to differ in any respect from those of the other species, the 

 habits of which are well known. 



873. Mirafra microptera. The Burmese Bush-Lark. 



Mirafra microptera, Hume, S. F. i, p. 483 (1873) ; id. N. $ E. p. 475 ; 

 id. S. F. iii, p. 159 ; id. Cat. no. 755 bis ; Sharpe, Cat. B. M. xiii, 

 p. 615 ; Oates in Hume's N. $ E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 233. 



Mirafra affinis, Jerd. apud Oates, B. B. \ } p. 376. 



Coloration. Resembles M. affinis, but is considerably smaller. 



Iris hazel ; lower mandible and margin of upper very pale 

 pinkish fleshy ; remainder of upper mandible dark horny ; legs 

 light fleshy ; claws pinkish. 



Length 5'5; tail 1-55; wing 2'7 to 3 ; tarsus -85 ; bill from 

 gape -55. 



Distribution. The northern part of Pegu about the district of 

 Thayetmyo. Specimens of a Bush-Lark from Saigon appear re- 

 ferable to this species. 



Habits, fyc. A nest of this bird that I found in Pegu in July 

 contained two eggs and one young bird, and was placed on the 

 ground in a hoof-mark. It was partially domed and constructed 

 of grass and fibres. One egg measured '83 by *6 and was thickly 

 marked with brown. 



Genus GALERITA, Boie, 1828. 



The genus Galerita contains the Crested Lark, and two other 

 Larks which have hitherto been placed in the genus Spizalauda. 

 These two genera appear to ine to be identical and I therefore 

 unite them. 



In Galerita the bill is about half the length of the head and 

 pretty strong ; the head is furnished with a few long feathers 

 forming a conspicuous crest ; the nostrils are completely covered 

 by plumelets ; there are ten primaries in the wing, the first 

 of which is very small ; the hind claw is about the same length 

 as the hind toe and very slightly curved ; and the sexes are quite 

 alike. 



The Crested Larks resemble the Sky-Larks closely in their 

 habits. 



Key to the Species. 



a. Bill at front about '7 ; general colour above 



earthy brown - G. cristata, p. 337. 



b. Bill at front about '5 ; general colour above 



rufous. 



a. Wing about 3'4 ; pectoral streaks few 



and narrow G. deva, p. 338. 



b'. Wing about 3'8 ; pectoral streaks numer- 

 ous and broad G. malabarica, p. 339. 



