ORD. INSESSOMES. 



TRIBE CONIROSTRES. 



FAM. ALAUDINM. 



GEN. MIRAFRA. 



PLATE XXXV 111. 



MIRAFRA ERYTHROPTERA. 



RED WINGED LARK. 



Synon. — Mirafra Javanica? Jerdon, Cat. No. 189. 



VVhkn I compiled my Catalogue I placed this Lark, though with doubt, 

 as the M. Javanica of Horsfield, that bird having been included in Franklin's Catalogue, 

 and as it answered tolerably well to the brief description, I think it is probably the 

 variety of Latham''s Aggia Lark, No. 49, described after a drawing of Hardwicke's, 

 and said to weigh 9? drachms. Since that time, however, I have thought it advise- 

 able to separate it as a new species, and Mr. Blyth fully agrees with me in doing 

 so, and has already described it under that name in the Journ. Asiat. Soc* 



The Red AVInged Lark is tolerably common in low jungles in the neighbour- 

 hood of Jalnah, and generally through the Deccan. I never saw it south of Bellary 

 nor on the West Coast, nor in the Carnatic, until a short time ago, when I 

 observed it in some low jungle at the very base of the Eastern Ghats, and my 

 Shikarees have procured me specimens from the hilly regions, where they say it 

 abounds. It is never, that I am aware of, found in the open plains, nor does it frequent 

 gardens, like the more common species, M. Affiyiis. I may remark here, that I found 

 this latter the common species, M-ithin a mile or less of the spot where I first observed 

 Erythroptcra in the Carnatic, but not one did I see encroaching on the ground of the other. 

 The Red Winged Lark perches frequently on shrubs, whence it occasionally rises a short 

 distance, and descends again with outspread wings, its bright rufous quills gliltering 



" For 1844— Page Or.8. 



