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."
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.)
This is distinguishable from the skylark by its smaller size and its white under plumage.
It is a permanent resident, but is confined to the sandy beds of the rivers of N. India. It runs about near the edge of the water.
These are distinguished by having no white in the tail. They frequently perch in bushes or low trees, whence they sometimes take short flights in the air.
99. _Mirafra assamica_: The Bengal Bush-lark. (F. 870), (J. 754), (I.)
The common Bush Lark of the U.P. is not the Bengal but the Red-winged Bush Lark (_Mirafra erythroptera_) (F. 871) (J. 756) (-I). This is smaller than the Bengal species and the brown of its upper plumage is tinged with red.
100. _Mirafra affinis_: The Madras Bush-lark. (F. 872), (J. 755), (I.)
Found in S. India. It is common in Guindy Park.
These are readily distinguished by the sharp-pointed crest which projects backwards and upwards from the back of the head. They sing well and have habits very similar to those of the skylark. No white in the tail.