759.  Ammomanes lusitanica, Gmelin.

Alauda, apud Gmelin - A. deserti, LICHTEN. - A. Isabellina, Temm, pl. Col. 244. f. 2. - GoULD, Birds of Europe, pl. 163 -  Mirafra phaenicuroides, Blyth. - Horsf., Cat. 723.

The Pale-rufous Finch-lark.

Descr. -  Affined to A. phaenicura, but the general hue is less  rufescent; upper parts dull sandy grey-brown ; the wing-coverts dark-shafted; the under parts fulvous grey, or isabellinc, albescent on the throat, and with a few faint dusky streaks on the breast; tail brown, faintly rufescent at its extreme base, and on the outer web of the outermost feather; broad margins to the inner webs of the primaries and secondaries, with the axillaries, also pale rufescent.

Bill dusky above, yellowish beneath; feet pale yellow-brown. Length about 6 inches ; wing 4; tail 2 3/4; tarsus 7/8; hind claw above 5/16.

This species inhabits Afghanistan and Central Asia, but spreads into Cashmere and the Punjab Salt range, where procured by Mr. Theobald. Griffith states that it frequents rocks and stony places, and that the claws arc usually much worn. It Is chiefly an inhabitant of Arabia, Northern Africa, and Southern Europe, especially in the south of Spain and Portugal.

It is much paler and less rufous than the last; of which it may be supposed to have the habits. Tristram found its nest in Africa, and describes the eggs as cream colour, blotched with red and brown.

Other species of this Finch-lark are A. cinnamomea, Bonap., and A. pellida of Ehrenberg. It does not seem that the Indian examples have been accurately compared with lusitanica, and Horsfield, in his Catalogue, gives both these last species with a query, as perhaps the same as our bird.

The next genus Is chiefly developed in Africa, one species only occurring in India.