1844.] Synopsis of Indian Fringillidce. 961 



compressed, but essentially Lark-like. Feet with shortish toes, and short 

 but straight hind claw. The general contour much recals to mind that 

 of the northern Snowflecks (Plectrophanes). 



C. baghaira ; Emberiza Bag-haira, Franklin ; Baggeyra Lark, Lath. 

 Alauda dukhunensis, Sykes, P. Z. S. 1832, p. 93; described as Corypha 

 baghaira, J. A. S. XI, 200 : Ortolan of Europeans in India. 



Alauda, Lin. Typical Larks. 



1. A. arvensis, Lin. Nepal. Specimens of this bird sent as a new 

 species by Mr. Hodgson differ in no respect from others killed in Eng- 

 land. 



2. A. gulgula, Franklin, P. Z. S. 1831, p. 119 ; described in /. A. S. 

 XI, 201.— Var. (?), A, gracilis, Nobis, J. A. £. XI. 201 ; A. gulgula, 

 apud Sykes and Jerdon. — Var. (?), A. leiopus, Hodgson, MS. A puzzling 

 species, either subject to some degree of local variation, or, in Mr. Jer- 

 don's opinion, separable into at least three most closely allied species as 

 above indicated. Comparison, however, of numerous specimens from vari- 

 ous parts renders the definition of these species or varieties extremely dif- 

 ficult, if not impossible. Those from southern India have the colours more 

 intense, and for the most part agree with the Bengal specimen which I 

 ventured to separate by the name A. gracilis, even according very 

 commonly in the trivial distinction which I pointed out, of having the 

 penultimate tail-feather somewhat largely tipped with the rufescent- 

 white continued along its outer web, and this trifling character I have 

 sought for in vain among heaps of the ordinary Bengal Lark killed for 

 the table. Again, Mr. Hodgson marked a Nepalese specimen of the 

 common Bengal variety as being probably distinct in species from his 

 A. leiopus, and one of his specimens of leiopus resembles most minutely 

 the common peninsular variety (or A, gracilis), while in general the 

 Nepalese specimens seem to be rather short in the bill, and to have the 

 outer tail-feathers of a purer and brighter white than in the others : but 

 I confess my inability to draw up any marked and constant distinguish- 

 ing characters. Specimens exactly resembling the common Bengal bird 

 were procured by Sir A. Burnes in Scinde ; and one from Arracan is 

 remarkable for being rather small, and for having the exterior web of 

 the penultimate tail-feather merely narrowly edged with rufous-white, 

 instead of this occupying the whole outer web of the feather in question. 

 I should remark that the Nepal specimens are also, in general, a good 



