FIRST LIST OF THE BIRDS OF THE SOUTH KONKAN. 73 



Very uncommon. I have only found it at the places 

 specified. 



760.— Pyrrhulauda grisea, Scop. 



Batnngiri. Dapuli. 



Guhagar. 

 Peve. 



Very common in the more open country, in fields and rocky 

 table lands. Breeds in October, November, and again in April. 

 The nests are tiny cups of grass, lined with tow and shreds 

 of wool, probably pilfered from the blankets of the cowherds. 

 I have never found more than two eggs in a nest. This species 

 is very abundant on the rocky laterite plateau on the summit 

 of the cliff at Ratnagiri. Here it builds its nest on the bare 

 surface of the sheet rock. The nests are not hollowed out, 

 but are built in all round with a little wall or embankment of 

 loose gravel and detritus. There is no attempt at concealment, 

 but as a sort of landmark, and perhaps with an idea that it 

 gives protection, a small stone, from four to six inches high, 

 is invariably found at the side of the nest. In fields, and 

 wherever the soil admits of being dug up, a small hollow is 

 scooped out, or else a natural hollow, such as a hoof mark, is 

 chosen, but in these situations also I have always observed the 

 small protecting stone. 



765 bis,— Spizalauda malabarica, Scop, 



Kelshi. I Palgad. 



Batnagiri. | 



Abundant in the fields and uplands. Sings loudly on the 

 wing as well as when on the ground. October is the month 

 in which the majority breed, but I have also taken eggs in 

 November, and young birds in January. Possibly it has two 

 broods. Three is the maximum number of eggs laid. The 

 nests are moderate sized cups made of grass throughout, 

 coarse exteriorly and finer inside. They are sometimes placed 

 like those of P. grisea on the bare rock and sometimes 

 under cover of grass or standing crops. 



767.*— Alauda gulgula, ? . 



This species was obtained by Dr. Armstrong somewhere to 

 the south of Ratnagiri, and he shewed me several specimens. 

 1 have not met with it myself. 



773.— Crocopus chlorigaster, Bly. 



Kelshi. | | 



Common throughout wherever there are large groves of 

 trees in secluded situations. Feeds on pipal and banyan berries, 

 and the fruit of the Zizyphus jujuba. 



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