1840.] 



of the Peninsula of India. 



li 



Genus ANTHUS. 



I shall under this genus, enumerate two species, which although they 

 do not exactly come under Swainson's restricted definition, are yet 

 considered as Anthi,hy most authors, and they have more of the manners 

 of this family than of the with which Swainson has very pro- 



perly, I tliink, associated most of the species, of the AntJms, of older 

 authors. 



141. — J. arboreiis ?—Tree Pipit ?. — Musarichee, H. 



This species, so much resembles the description of the Tree Pipit of 

 Europe, that in the absence of more precise information, I shall consi- 

 der it as such. It is only a visitor, during the cold weather, coming in 

 October, and remaining till April or May. Associates generally in 

 small flocks, frequenting beds of wooded streams, edges of tanks, and 

 other moist places. Is also found in grain-fields, gardens, and groves 

 of trees. It feeds partly on the ground, on various insects, and also 

 on grain, and on being disturbed flies up to the nearest tree. It fre- 

 quently, however, feeds on trees, hopping about the upper branches, 

 like a Sylvia, and occasionally even snapping at an insect on the wing. 

 Mr. Elliot says, " Its flesh is used by falconers as a restorative to the 

 Bhyree, and is s?id to be very delicate." Length 6| inches ; wing 3|-« 



142. —^. Richardi ? 



It is with some hesitation, that I consider the specimen, which] I 

 possess, to be the same as the Anthus Richardi, but as it appears to 

 agree with many of the characters, as given in the descriptive works I 

 possess, I shall do so provisionally, till correct information be obtained. 



I have only met with this bird, on one occasion, on the banks of the 

 Tumbuddra. It was in pairs, and its manner of flight was exactly 

 similar to that of the Wagtails. 



Descr. — Above olive brown, shaded with dusky, and many of the 

 feathers edged with whitish ; beneath whitish, the breast streaked 

 with brownish, and a brown streak running down from the base of lower 

 mandible on either side. Irides brown. Length 7^ inches ; wing 

 Sy^ths; tail about 3; tarsus lyVths ; hind toe lyV^hs (with claw); 

 claw alone y^o^ths. 



