766.   Alauda triborhyncha, Hodgson.

Gray, Zool. Mise. p. 84 - Alauda dulcivox, Hodgson, apud Blyth, MSS. Mus. As. Soc.  - A. arvensis, Auct.. apud Blyth, Cat 732 - HoRSF., Cat. 705 - A. coelipeta, Pallas? - A. japonica, Temm., and SCHL. P. J. pl. 47 ?

The Himalayan Sky-lark.

Descr. - Above deep brown, the feathers edged with rufous, broadly so on back of neck; beneath, and eye-brow, pale fulvescent, or earthy white, rufescent on the breast, and with a few brown streaks; tail with the outer feathers nearly all white, and the penultimate with the outer web also white.

Length 7 Inches; wing 4 to 4 1/4; tail 2 3/4; bill at front not 1/2 ; tarsus 1; hind toe and claw 1 1/10.

This Sky-lark has been found In Nepal by Hodgson. Blyth was latterly induced to separate the Himalayan birds, under Hodgson's name dulcixox (under which name he states that, he received specimens from Mr. Hodgson), from the European bird, with which he formerly classed dulcivox, on the grounds that the form of the wing was distinct, the fourth developed primary in supposed dulcivox being barely 1/16 inch shorter than the third, whereas in arvensis, it is at least 1/4 shorter. The wing of the European Lark is given as 4 1/2 inches, which is longer than in any Indian examples of the present bird. Moreover, the colors of dulcivox are said to be brighter, and the contrast more marked. In other respects the two birds are alike, except that the throat and ear-coverts are less spotted in the Himalayan bird, and there Is a stronger rufous tinge on the wings.

It is certainly the A. triborhyncha of Hodgson, in Horsfield's Catalogue, No. 705, where it is described as follows : - "Very like A. gulgula; differs in being somewhat larger, and the bill smaller; the ferruginous colors brighter, especially on the wings.
Length 6 1/2 Inches ; wing 4 2/10 ; tail 2 3/4; tarsus 7/8; hind toe and claw 1 1/8. This Himalayan Lark has been sent from Nepal by Mr. Hodgson, and from Bootan by Mr. Pemberton."

It is most likely the A. leiopus Hodgson, apud Blyth, olim J. A. S., where it Is said to be distinguished from A. gulgula by its superior size, smaller bill, and longer tail; and from arvensis by the shape of its wing. That name however Is now given as a synonym of gulgula. It is probably also the triborhyncha of Gray's Catalogue of the Birds of Nepal, rather than his dulcivox, of which no specimens were sent to the British Museum, nor to the Museum of the India House, The name triborhyncha should be adopted for this species, under which name it appears to have been sent to the European Museums, and it probably inhabits the higher regions of the Himalayas throughout.

A. dulcixox, Hodgson, apud Gray, may, I think Avith Horsfield, be considered as A, arvensis of Europe and Asia, which we know to be common in Afghanistan, and in the country bordering the Himalayas, and which Hodgson probably saw only as a cage-bird, not having sent any specimens to England,