767.  Alauda gulgula, Franklin,

P. Z, S„ 1831 - HORSF., Cat. 706 - Jerdon, Cat. 184 - Blyth, Cat. 733 - A. gracilis, and A. gangetica, Blyth - A. leiopus, Hodgson (in part)- - A, caelivox. Swinhoe? - A. Malabarica, apud Blyth, Cat. 734 - A. arvensis, apud Sundevall - Buruta-pitta,
Tel., vulgo Niala pichike, or Ground Sparrow - Manam-badi Tam., i. e., Sky-bird - Bhurut, H.

The Indian Sky-lark.

Descr. - Above, the feathers are dark brown, with fulvous margins; beneath fulvescent white, deeper on the breast, and spotted or streaked with dusky; ear-coverts spotted and tipped dusky ; a pale eyestreak ; the erectile feathers of the head moderately elongated. Some specimens have a rufous tinge on the upper tail-coverts, and also margining the large quills, more especially the secondaries, while the coverts are edged with grey; the tail has the outermost feather almost wholly fulvescent-white, and the penultimate one has its outer web, and sometimes the tip of the inner web of the same tint.

Bill brown brown, pale beneath ; legs fleshy brown; irides dark brown; length 6 to 6 1/2 inches; wing 3 1/4 to 3 3/4; tail 2 to 2 1/4; tarsus 1; bill at front 1/2; hind toe and claw 1 1/10.

This species has much the plumage of the Sky-lark of Europe, but is a good deal smaller ; the under parts are generally more rufescent, and there is a stronger tinge of this hue both on the upper and under surface of the wings ; the outer tail-feathers too are generally tinged with the same. The wing has the fourth large primary barely shorter than the third, and the first three are nearly equal, as in triborhyncha. Hill examples appear to be brighter, and with more strongly contrasting colours than those usually killed in the plains, and these Hodgson sent as A. leiopus, but he also appears to have applied this name to the previous species (V. Gray, Cat, Birds of Nepal). Swinhoe has Al. caelivox, which may be the same. He compares it with A. japonica, stating it to be a much smaller species than the Japanese bird. Blyth doubtfully puts it as gulgula.

The Indian Sky-lark Is found throughout the whole of India, frequenting grassy hills, meadows, and fields; the grassy edges of tanks arc favorite spots, and also the bunds of rice fields, in which they often breed. It rises into the air singing, but does not perhaps soar so high as the Lavrock of England. It breeds from March to June, making its nest of grass and hair, on the ground under a tuft of grass; and laying three or four greenish-grey eggs, with numerous brown and dusky streaks and spots. In the cold weather they associate more or less in flocks, and arc taken in great numbers for the table. It is particularly abundant on the Neilgherries, and also in Wynaad, and in Lower Bengal. I did not procure it at Darjeeling. " The song," says Mr. Blyth, " very closely resembles that of the British Sky-lark."

Comparatively few residents in India are aware that a Sky dark is common in almost every part of India, and when they go to a hill station, observe this bird, perhaps for the first time, with equal surprise and delight. About February many are brought to the Calcutta market, and sold as Ortolan.

A. cantarella, Bonap., a supposed distinct species that has been killed occasionally in the South of Europe, and said to be smaller and duller in colour than arvensis, ought to be compared with A. gulgula.