The upper parts are earthy brown with dark streaks. The lower parts are creamy white with black streaks. There is a little white in the tail, visible only during flight. It feeds on the ground, but takes refuge in a tree when disturbed. It frequently goes about in flocks. There is nothing striking in its appearance or habits, and so it is not easy to describe satisfactorily.
A winter visitor. Not found in Madras. (Illus. B. B., p. 111).
[96]. Anthus rufulus: The Indian Pipit, or the Indian Tit-Lark. (F. 847), (J. 600), (I.)
This is scarcely distinguishable from the last species ([95]). It has a somewhat longer bill and longer legs. The claw of its hind toe is much longer than that of A. maculatus, but this cannot be seen unless the bird be held in the hand. This species is found all over India. Thus in N. India in winter a bird answering to this description may be either species, and it is only safe to set it down as a “pipit.”
The Larks, 97-103
Larks are so like pipits that it is not easy to distinguish between them without capturing them. (Illus. F. II., p. 315.)
[97]. Alauda gulgula: The Indian Skylark. (F. 861), (J. 767), (+I.)
This is very like the above two pipits in appearance, but there is a good deal more white in the tail. Except for its somewhat smaller size it is indistinguishable from the English skylark, and all books on Indian ornithology state that this bird soars up into the heavens and pours forth its song just as the lark does in England. I must confess that this is not my experience. I have never seen this species soar in the middle of the day, or at any time save the very early morning.
This is a permanent resident and builds a nest on the ground like that of the common skylark.
[98]. Alaudula raytal: The Ganges Sand-lark. (F. 866), (J. 762), (-I.)