156 WANDERINGS OF A 



fort, security, and independence they experienced under the 

 sovereignty of the Sikhs. 



In every wheat-field boys were employed frightening 

 thousands of the brown-headed bunting (JSuspiza luteola, 

 Sparm.),* and rose-coloured pastor (Pastor roseus). Great flocks 

 of these birds were seen scouring across the country, and settling 

 on the ears of grain. Both species commit havoc among the 

 crops at that season, and chiefly by pushing down the ears of 

 wheat ; consequently large patches are prostrated ia the same 

 manner as when laid low by wind. The brown-headed bunting ' 

 is only common during harvest, and may possibly come from 

 Afghanistan, where it is said to be plentiful from April to 

 autumn. The other species is generally distributed over the 

 Punjaub at aU seasons. A species of lizard is common in the 

 ravines and arid plains of the North-western Provinces : its 

 burrows are made on the open country, and it may be usually 

 seen basking in the sun at their entrances. It is about a foot 

 in length, blunt-headed, tail obtuse at the tip, and body 

 covered with large and broad scales. The blue-throated 

 warbler was occasionally observed. Its habits resemble the 

 redbreasts and redstarts ; possibly it might hold an inter- 

 mediate position. The black-bellied lark-finch (Pyrrhvj- 

 lauda grisea) is a common tenant of the waste and barren 

 tracts, and as usual is seen squatting on the ground — a habit I 

 have noticed to be common, although in a much less degree, with 

 larks in general, especially when they anticipate danger, and 

 before taking to wing. The European heront was seen wading 

 in pools; whilst the gull-billed tern (Sterna atiglica), in 



* Cat. Birds of East Indian Company's Museum, by Dr. Horsfield, vol. 

 ii. 487. 



+ Wilson's Americcm Ormth. pL 72, f. 6. I am not aware of any changes 

 in the plumage of this great cosmopolite. 



