32 Catalogue of the Birds [Jan. 



187.— ,4. Dukhunensis, Svbes.—Emberiza Baghaira, Frankl. Cat. ? 

 Baag-geyra Lark. — Latli ? Baghaira or Baghdda of some Shikarees, 

 H. — Ortolan of Europeans.— (Social Lark. 



This bird as described by Sykes, is most probably the Emb.'Baghaira 

 of Franklin's catalogue, but as the only description of the Baag-geyra 

 Lark I have access to, is very brief, I cannot be certain. This bird 

 appears on the table land of India in October. It associates in vast 

 flocks, frequenting the bare grass downs, and is fond of damp spots, as 

 at the edge of tanks, &c. It also frequents grain-fields, and almost 

 always retires to them for shelter during the heat of the day, from 

 whence it does not in general issue again till next morning. They are 

 so numerous occasionally, that 4, 5 or 6 dozens are sometimes killed at 

 a shot, and numbers are often netted in some parts of the country, as I 

 learn from Mr. Elliot's notes. When in good condition it is highly 

 esteemed for the table. The social lark does not breed in this part of 

 India, and quits it for the north in March. Irides deep brown. Length 

 61 inches ; of wing 4 ; tail 2 T y;hs ; tarsus T \ths; hind toe alone hardly 

 3 T \ths ; claw about the same. 



Genus MYRAFRA, Horsf.— Thick billed Lark. 



188.— M. phamicura, Frank].— fieytul, H. of some ; Jgeea, H. of 

 others. — Red bellied lark. 



The red bellied lark, is found over all the peninsula, but is much 

 more common in the Deccan, than below the ghauts. It frequents the 

 open plains, preferring the barest spots, ploughed land, stubble fields 

 and beds of nullahs. It sometimes, though rarely, perches on bushes. 

 Its habits ai-e much those of the Larks. It feeds chiefly on seeds of 

 various kinds, also on insects occasionally. Its abrupt jerking flight 

 has been already noticed by Colonel Sykes. It frequently ascends 

 suddenly in the air by a few interrupted strokes of its wings, and 

 uttering at the time a pleasant loud whistle-like note, sounding some- 

 thing like Toowhee ; it then descends with a sudden fall, changing its 

 note to a low lark-like warbling ; when close to the ground it again 

 repeats this, and so on for several times. Irides brown ; bill homy 

 above, flesh coloured below; legs flesh coloured. Length 6 inches; 

 wing 4 T yhs ; tail 2 T yhs ; tarsus r %-ths ; hind toe alone T \ ths ; 

 claw the same, nearly straight ; bill to front T yhs ; gape T yhs. 



