P A S S E E E S. 



Series C. Sturnoid Passeres. 

 Wing with 10 primaries, the first of which is rudimentary. (Wallace, Ibis, 1874, p. 412.) 



Fam. ALAUDID.E. 



Bill variable, more or less conical and slender in some, stout and slightly curved in others ; 

 tip entire. Wings pointed, with the 1st quill normally present, but absent in one or two recog- 

 nized genera of the family*; the tertials elongated. Legs more or less slender. The tarsus 

 scutate both before and behind; claws straight; the hind claw generally elongated. Head in 

 most crested. 



Genus ALAUDA. 

 Bill rather conical, but slender, the culmen slightly curved. Nostrils concealed by a tuft 

 of hair-like feathers. Wings moderate, pointed ; the 1st quill minute, less than the primary- 

 coverts ; the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quills subequal, the 3rd usually the longest. Tail moderately 

 long, emarginate at the tip, the centre feathers shorter than the lateral ones. Tarsus moderate, 

 equal to the middle toe and its claw, covered in front and behind with broad transverse scales, 

 those behind being smoother than those in front ; inner anterior claw longer than the outer ; 

 hind claw very long and straight. 



ALAUDA GTJLGULA. 



(THE INDIAN SKY-LARK.) 



Alauda gulgwla, Franklin, P. Z. S. 1831, p. 119 ; Jerdon, Cat. B. South India, Madr. Journ. 

 1840, xi. p. 30 ; Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. A. S. B. p. 132 (1849); Kelaart, Prodromus, Cat. 

 p. 120 (18-52); Layard, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 1854, xiii. p. 259; Jerdon, B. of Ind. 

 ii. p. 434 (1863); Brooks, Ibis, 18G9, p. GO; Holdsw. P. Z. S. 1872, p. 465; Hume, 

 Str. Feath. 1873, p. 487, note; id. Lahore to Yarkand, p. 269, pi. 29 (1873); id. Nests 



' The variation in (lie wing in this family is very remarkable, and precludes the satisfactory classification of the 

 Larks as a group according to a given wing-formula. They appear to me, notwithstanding, to be better located in this 

 series next the Pipits (the last family of the preceding group), than actually with them, because the 1st quill is normally 

 present as an abortive or rudimentary feather, and "the wing is consequently of Sturnoid formation. In the character of 

 (heir plumage, as a rule, and in the structure of the foot, the Larks are allied to the Pipits through the genus Corydalla ; 

 and some genera, such as Otocori/: (the horned Larks), might perhaps be placed in the latter family. The peculiar structure 

 of the tarsus, in having scales behind as well as before, is, however, common to Otocoris, as well as to other genera ; but 

 t be scales are scarcely perceptible with the naked eye. Were it not for its conical bill and short tertials, Otocoris would 

 have quite' the aspect of a Pipit, and may, I think, be considered as a connecting link between the Motacillida* and the 

 Alauiliihe. 



