motacillin^e. 233 



Bill dusky above, yellowish at base of lower mandible ; irides 

 brown; legs fleshy yellow with a tinge of brown. Length 6| 

 to 6£ inches ; wing 3 to 3± ; tail 2£ to 2\ ; tarsus about 1 ; bill 

 at front ^. 



This species varies a good deal in size and proportion. 

 Blyth says that it is almost an exact miniature of A. Richardi, 

 except in its proportionally short tail, and rather smaller feet. It 

 was generally considered the same bird as A. Malaiensis of Eyton, 

 and to be diffused through the Malayan provinces ; but Horsfield, 

 m his Catalogue, puts that species as distinct. 



Its breeding plumage does not appear to differ from the winter- 

 dress. 



This is one of the most common, abundant, and generally 

 spread birds in India, being found in every part of the 

 country, except on the highest elevations ; and throughout most 

 parts of Assam and Burmah. It frequents fields, compounds, 

 and open grass plains, the sandy beds of rivers, edges of tanks, 

 &c. It runs rapidly on the ground, and when raised, does not fly 

 far. It feeds on insects and grass seeds. It makes its nest on 

 the ground in April and May, under a slight prominence, or in a 

 tuft of grass, or at the edge of a bush ; and lays three or four eggs 

 of a greenish ground color, with numerous small brown specks, 

 chiefly on the larger end. Its song is a mere repetition of one 

 note, during its descent from a short flight of a few feet from 

 the ground. 



601. Corydalla striolata, Blyth. 



Anthus, apud Blyth, J. A. S., XVI., 435— Blyth, Cat. 758— 

 Jerdon, 2nd Suppl. Cat. 190 bis — A. thermophilus, Hodgson, 

 (name only) — Horsf., Cat. 565. 



The Large Titlark. 



Bescr. — Very similar to A. rufulus, but larger, the markings 

 more distinct, and the breast much more spotted, the general tinge 

 at the same time being more fulvous. 



Length about 1\ inches ; wing Z\ ; tail 3 ; tarsus \\ ; hind claw 

 \ ; bill at front nearly \. 



2 G 



