626 COETDALLA RF/FULA. 



as 3 - 27, and Mr. Cripps that of a Furreedpore example 3*08 inches, both being males. Jerdon, generalizing from 

 India, fixes the wing dimension at 3 - to 3'25. 

 < '. malayensis, the Malay Pipit, is the representative of this species in that peninsula. It is closely allied, differing, 

 according to Mr. Hume, in the darker upper surface, more strongly marked spotting of the breast, stouter bill 

 and feet : I have not seen any examples ; but it must be remarkably close to our hill-bird, and can at best be only 

 looked upon as a subspecies. Male, wing 3"5 ; female, wing 3 - l to 3*15. 



Distribution. — The Common Pipit, or Indian Titlark, is one of our most familiar birds, being distributed 

 over the whole island, and almost as abundant on the lofty lying patnas and " plains " of the Nuwara Eliya 

 plateau and other elevated regions of the hill-none as on the plains of the north. It is, however, scarcer at the 

 Horton Plains than at the Sanatarium, Elephant Plains, or the Agra patnas, that upland region being probably 

 too cold for it. It moves about in districts exposed to the force of the monsoons, seeking shelter at that time 

 in more secluded localities than its favourite open lands on the sea-coast. There is a marked increase in its 

 numbers on open places near the sea-coast during the N.E. monsoon, owing to its retiring in the breeding- 

 season to grassy places in the interior. This may be plainly observed by noticing it throughout the year at 

 the Galle face. 



It is abundant in most parts of India, except, perhaps, in the north aud north-west portion of the empire. 

 Jerdon remarks that it is numerous from "the Himalayas and Nepal to the extreme south, more rare in 

 Southern India, especially in the Carnatic, but tolerably common and abundant in Lower Bengal." 



As regards the south, however, it is found in Ramisserum Island, in the hills of Travancore, and in the 

 Palaui ranges. Further north, in the Deccan, it is common, and also on the hills, according to the same 

 authority. The same is true in the open parts of Chota Nagpur ; and Mr. Ball likewise records it from various 

 places between the Godaveri and the Ganges, from Calcutta and the Satpura hills; in Central India it is 

 found, and, in fact, it breeds, says Mr. Hume, all over the plains. In the north-west its distribution is 

 local. Mr. Adams records it as common at the Sambhur Lake ; and Captain Butler says it is likewise so in the 

 plains round Mount Aboo in the cold weather, though it does not ascend the hills ; it, however, sparingly 

 remains in that district throughout the year, as subsequently he found it breeding at Deesa. Mr. Hume says 

 it is common at Ajmere, but not found at Jhodpoor, or in Sindh, Cutch, and Kattiawar. In the Himalayas 

 Mr. Brooks procured it in the narrow part of the Bhagirati river above Mussoori ; and Mr. Hume says that it 

 builds up to 6000 feet elevation. It is abundant in parts of the Irrawaddy delta according to Dr. Armstrong, 

 but is rare in Pegu, where Sir Arthur Phayre procured it in the Tongoo district. In Tenasserim it is " a 

 permanent resident in the more open and cultivated tracts throughout the province/' not ascending the higher 

 hills. Mr. Davison remarks that " there is not a bit of open land anywhere about Moulmein, Tavoy, or 

 Mergui where numbers may not be seen." It has not been found in the Andamans, if the Marquis of 

 Tweeddale's identification of C. striolata in Lieut. Wardlaw Ramsay's collection was correct, which I have no 

 doubt was the case. It is replaced to the south of Tenasserim by the Malaccan form, C. malayensis. 



Habits. — This tame bird frequents fields, esplanades in towns, pastures and open ground of all sorts, 

 ploughed paddy-land, and bare patnas in the hill-districts. It is fearless in its disposition, taking no notice of 

 man, but merely moving out of his way or running leisurely before him. It rises with a two-syllable note, 

 and is capable of taking long-sustained flights, which are noticeable in its evening passage from the Galle face 

 over Mutwal to the Mutturajawclla swamp, where it roosts in great numbers in sociable company. It 

 associates in flocks at some seasons of the year, notably before pairing in June, and is then very restless in its 

 habits. Both this and the last species, adapted by nature to open and bare localities, arc capable of sustaining 

 the powerful midday rays of a tropical sun without any apparent inconvenience; and when all other iusessorial 

 birds are seeking the cool shade of green foliage, or panting with heat, these salamander-like little birds may 

 be noticed running on the burning soil, or quietly feathering themselves on some half-baked clod ! It feeds 

 on worms and various terrestrial insects, and likewise partakes of small grass-seeds. It is in a constant state of 

 moult in the autumn. 



Mr. Davison remarks concerning this species : — " It is a very familiar and tame bird, running about the 

 gardens and along the paths and roads, and even coming to within a foot or two of one's door. Though 



