COETDALLA STEIOLATA. 629 



larger long-clawed species. My specimen was obtained in the flooded pasture-lands near the Virgel. I was 

 struck by the peculiar appearance of the head and bill of certain Pipits I met with during a forced march to 

 Trincomalie, and shot one (the only individual I had time to get), which proved to be the desired species. 

 I have no doubt it is commoner on the extensive pastures and grassy plains in the great delta of the Maha- 

 welliganga than anywhere else in Ceylon. 



Concerning its distribution in India, Jerdon says, " Hodgson sent it from Nepal ; Blyth first procured it 

 from Darjiling, where I found it tolerably common about the station and in stubble-fields. I also procured it 

 in the Nellore district, in the south of India, generally near low bushy hills, not approaching houses like the 



last (C. rufula) • it is not rare at Saugor, in Central India, in similar localities It does not breed, 



that I am aware of, in India, even at Darjiling, coming in towards the end of September." It is possible that 

 the species noted from Kangra, North-west Himalayas, as C. rufula by Herr von Pelzeln may have been the 

 present. It is recorded from the Deccan by the Rev. Dr. Fairbank, and Mr. Ball notes it from the Rajmehal 

 hills, Bardwan, Singhbhum, Nowargah, and Karial. He likewise obtained it in the Satpura hills and in all 

 the districts of Chota Nagpur. Mr. Brooks met with it at Assensole, and says that it is more abundant in 

 that part of Bengal than the " Marsh-Pipit." I do not find any record of its occurrence on the eastern side 

 of the bay north of Tenasserim, to the southernmost district of which province Mr. Hume says it is a rare 

 visitant : it was there procured at Mergui and Bankasoon. The Marquis of Tweeddale identified this species in 

 Capt. Wardlaw Ramsay's collection from the South Andamans ; but Mr. Davison does not appear to have 

 met with it there. Where it retires to during the breeding-season is still a mystery ; but its haunts must be 

 beyond the snowy ranges, if it does not nest anywhere in India. 



Habits. — -This fine Titlark frequents pasture-lands and plains covered with short herbage, moist fields, and, 

 according to Indian writers, stubble-land. Mr. Davison found it in turfy and rice-land, and Mr. Brooks met 

 with it in vetches and paddy-fields in Bengal. It appeared to me to be solitary in its habits, and it ran 

 quickly about, stopping suddenly and holding itself very erect. Jerdon remarks that it has a stronger flight 

 than the Common Titlark, and takes shelter under trees and shrubs. Mr. Brooks says that it rises with a 

 loud discordant note, very different from that of any other Titlark ; and by this it may be readily distinguished 

 from Richard's Pipit, which it so much resembles at a distance. It feeds on worms and insects, which it takes 

 from the ground or from the cattle-ordure on the pastures which it frequents. 



