48 



BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



Cre^tcb Xarft. 



■''^'' John Du/vc/i^ 



The Crested Lark {Gakrita cristafa, Linnseus) is a rare 

 irregular autumn migrant to the British Islands, but is a 

 resident species in most parts of Continental Europe and 

 Asia. The adult male has the upper parts of the plumage 

 brown, with centre of feathers blackish; nape and upper 

 back, washed in parts with pale ochreous brown ; rump 

 and upper tail-coverts, buff; tail-feathers, brown, with paler 

 margins; superciliary stripe, buff; crest, which is con- 

 spicuous, has the feathers buff in colour with dark brown 

 centres; lower parts, buffish-white; sides of throat and 

 chest, spotted with brown; flanks, streaked with dark brown; 

 irides, hazel; bill, brown, paler beneath; legs and feet, light 

 brown. Length, about six inches. The adult female is 

 similar to the male. 



