428 BIRDS OP INDIA. 



common in Afghanistan. To this genus also belong Al. tartarica, 

 Pallas, of North Asia, almost entirely black in summer dress, 

 (occasionally killed in Europe) ; and A. mongolica, Pallas. Al. 

 clot-bey, Temminck and Bonaparte, belongs to the same group ; but, 

 from its very thick and deeply notched bill, has been separated as 

 JRamphocoris, Bonap. 



The next form is not unlike the preceding one, but smaller, and 

 less social in its habits. 



Gen. Alaudala, Blyth. 



Char. — Bill more lengthened and slender than in the preceding- 

 genera, but still rather short and thick, and slightly curved ; wings 

 moderate, with no rudimentary first primary, and the first three 

 quills longest ; tail even ; feet very small ; hind claAv about the 

 length of the toe, nearly straight. Of small size. 



This genus may be said to combine the general form (including 

 the bill) of Alautla, with the feet and plumage of Calandrella. 

 There is only one species known, the smallest of all the 

 Indian Larks. 



762. Alaudala raytal, Buck. Hamilton. 

 Alauda, apud B. Hamilton — Horsf., Cat. 773 — Cal. raytal, 

 Blyth, Cat. 737— Al. pispoletta, Pallas ?—Retal, H., i. e. Sand- 

 bird. 



Tiie Indian Sand-lark. 



Descr. — General hue of the upper parts light brownish-ashy, 

 with narrow dark centres to the feathers ; lower parts white, faintly 

 tinged with fulvous on the breast, where obscurely marked Avith 

 small spots ; wing -coverts and tertiaries margined with pale 

 fulvescent or whitish ; the outermost tail-feathers white, except 

 the inner half of the inner web, and the next one is white along 

 the marginal half of its outer web only ; a whitish line through the 

 eyes. 



Bill pale horny ; legs fleshy yellowish ; irides brown. Length 

 5£ inches; extent 8 ; wing 3 ; tail If to 2 ; tarsus 1 7 n ; hind toe and 

 claw not ^ ; bill at front § ; spread of foot 1. 



