765. Spizalauda deva, Sykes.

Alauda, apud Sykes, Cat. 98 - Mirafra Hayi, Jerdon, 2nd Suppl. Cat. 188 bis. - J. A. S. XIII 959 - Blyth, Cat. 742 -  HoRSF., Cat. 721  -  Chinna chandul, Tel.

THE Small Crested Lark.

Descr. - Upper part, including the crest, isabelline or rufous brown, with black mesial streaks ; upper tail-coverts rufescent without streaks; the first long primary broadly edged with rufescent, and the outermost tail-feather and most of the penultimate of the same hue; superciliary streak continued round the back of the head, and lower parts of a similar or isabelline hue, with a few dusky striae on the breast, and paling on the throat.

Bill horny brown, yellowish below; feet fleshy brown; irides dark-brown. Length 5 1/2 to 5 3/4 inches; wing 3 3/8 ; tail about 2, a trifle longer; bill at front 7/16; tarsus 3/4; hind toe and claw 11/16. The short first primary is about 1/2 an inch long ; the crest has its longest feathers about 3/4 inch long; and the mesial dark streak of each is strong and contrasting.

This small crested Lark is found throughout Southern India, chiefly on the table-land, rare in the Carnatic. Sykes procured it in the Deccan, where also 1 observed it, at Jaulnah, and I obtained examples from the top of the Eastern Ghats, and from Mysore. It frequents grass-land, and has quite the habits of a true Lark, and not at all those of a Mirafra, with which, from its thicker bill, I at first classed it. It is frequently caged in the Deccan and in the south of India, sings well, and is an excellent mocking bird.

We next come to the restricted Larks, with a comparatively slender bill.