ALATJDIN^. 439 



penultimate with a narrow white edge on the outer web. The 

 colours of the female are duller. 



Length 9 inches - , wing 5^; tail 4^ ; tarsus If. 



This Desert-lark of Africa and Arabia, and a rare strao-crler to 



CO 



the South of Europe, has been found in India only in Sindh, 

 where observed by the late Dr. Gould; but it -will probably 

 hereafter be found throughout the great desert tracts of the X. W. 

 Provinces. It is said to run fast, to live on seeds, and to be 

 a fine songster. An Indian example is much darker than the 

 figure in Eiippell, generally considered the same bird. 



Tristram has an interesting account of this species (Ibis, vol. 1., 

 p. 427.) " At first sight it reminded me much of a Plover, in the 

 manner in which it rose and scudded away. Indeed, there is 

 nothing of the Lark in its flight, except in early morning, when 

 I have watched it rise perpendicularly to some elevation, and then 

 suddenly drop, repeating these gambols uninterruptedly over 

 exactly the same spot for nearly an hour, accompanying itself by 

 a loud whistling song. It runs with great rapidity." Alauda 

 leautaungensis, Swinhoe, from the plains of the Peiho, by its long 

 and somewhat curved bill, may be a Certliilauda, but, being 

 crested, perhaps is more properly a Galerida. 



Some of the African species are said to inhabit desert, sandy 

 places, interspersed with brushwood, or wild grassy plains ; and, 

 when not seeking their food, are commonly seen resting upon 

 small hillocks, or even perched on a low shrub, occasionally utter- 

 ing a few whistling notes. Several are colored quite as the 

 typical Larks, striated above and spotted on the breast, and these 

 are said to affect grassy situations. 



END OF PART I., VOL. II. 



Printed at the Military Orphan Pres*, u, Dankshall street 



