768.  Alauda malabarica, Scopoli.

SONNERAT, Voy, aux Indes Or., 2, pl. 113, f, l - Blyth, J. A. S. XXIX., p. 96, not of his Catalogue.

The Crested Malabar Lark.

Descr. - Very similar to A. gulgula, but has a well developed pointed frontal crest. It is somewhat smaller, and the general tone of coloring much more rufous. It is found in various parts of Southern India, but I am not able at present to define its geographical distribution. It is however, a very distinct species, and follows Spizalauda deva very closely.

The wood Larks have been separated by Kaup as Lullula, in which the 1st primary is somewhat larger than in Alauda arvensis, and the 2nd also conspicuously shorter than the next three.

Several African species of Alauda are recorded, but some of them differ slightly from the typical form, and have been named Culendulauda by Blyth, having stouter bills.

The next form differs from the true Larks in its somewhat longer bill, crested head (to which, however, we are led by the last bird), and in the shorter hind claw.