500 NOTE. 



[Common throughout the entire region ; not yet noted from 

 Aboo.— A. 0. H.] 



761.— Calandrella brachydactyla, Tem. 



The Short-toed or Social Lark is very abundant in some parts 

 of the plains in the cold weather. In the neighbourhood of 

 Deesa it swarms, congregating in the early part of the year in 

 flocks of thousands upon every maid an. 



[Common throughout the entire region, but not recorded as 

 yet from Aboo.— A. 0. H.] 



(To be continued.) 



Ot*. 



Referring to my remarks (p. i 88) as to the colour of the legs 

 and feet of Rallina fusca, Lin., I wish to note that I have now 

 myself procured more than a dozen specimens of this species 

 in the neighbourhood of Calcutta, during the latter part of last 

 month and the course of the present one ^December). The legs 

 alike in old and young are red, somewhat dusky on joints and 

 feet, but not a trace of green about them. 



Jerdon says "bill green reddish at the base," "legs and feet 

 pale green/' As a matter of fact the bill varies from blackish 

 horny to brown with a greenish tinge and is not that I can find 

 out ever reddish at the base, and the legs and feet are at all seasons 

 red, (shaded dusky on toes and joints,) brightest colored in the 

 breeding season and dullest in mid winter. I believe that the 

 Calcutta printers must have, as usual, muddled Jerdon's text. 



I should not call the rufous portions of this bird " deep feru- 

 ginous ;"" they are, to my notion, i( vinous chestnut."" 



Jerdon does not describe the young. These entirely want 

 the rufous tint and have the entire chin and throat white, and 

 the rest of the lower surface dull earthy olive brown, mottled or 

 imperfectly barred with brownish white. Towards the end of 

 November they begin to assume the rufous tint, (which in their 

 case is ferruginous and lacks the rich vinaceous hue of the 

 adult) which first appears on the lores, cheeks, and ear-coverts 

 and then spreads in spots on to the lower throat, breast, &c. 



The following are the dimensions of several specimens : — 



