CRESTED LARK 97 



are usually redder (Plate 41) ; they are laid in March, April 

 and May, two broods being usual. 



The general colour of the adult bird is huffish brown, streaked 

 with dark brown, nearly black upon the crown ; the under 

 parts of huffish white are spotted and streaked on the breast ; 

 the outer tail feathers are brownish white, and there are white 

 tips to most of the others ; the primary coverts are tipped with 

 white. The bill is brown, darkest on the ridge ; the legs are 

 pinkish brown, the irides hazel. In autumn the colour is more 

 distinctly buff, and the under parts are tinged with olive. The 

 young are streaked with black and buff on the upper parts, and 

 are yellower beneath and more profusely spotted. The first 

 primary is longer than in the Skylark, and the nostrils have 

 a distinct operculum, though this is hidden by feathers. 

 Length, 5*5 ins. Wing, 3-9 ins. Tarsus, '8 in. 



Crested Lark. Galerida cristata (Linn.). 



Considering how many unexpected wanderers reach us from 

 Europe and Asia it is curious that the Crested Lark, which is 

 by no means rare just across the Channel, should seldom have 

 been satisfactorily recorded. It has occurred on a few occasions 

 on our southern shores, but many of the quoted records for 

 other localities do not stand investigation, the simple fact that 

 the Skylark has a distinct crest misleading the credulous. Its 

 habits differ little from those of its congeners, but it is less 

 sociable. The song " liquid and flute-like," is simple, uttered 

 from the ground or when making a short aerial excursion. 

 Like the Skylark, it delights in dusting itself in the road ; indeed 

 on the Continent it is a frequenter of high roads at all 

 seasons. 



In general plumage it resembles the Skylark rather than the 

 Wood-Lark, but though a heavier bird has shorter wings and 

 tail ; the tail, too, is without any white, the outer fringes being 



Series I. H 



