Perching Birds. 



31 



The Crested Lark. 



pale ground colour is less obscured bv brown 

 spots and markings, which, when present, are 

 confined to the larger end of the egg. 



The Crested Lark (Galci-ita cristntii) is 

 only a rare visitor to Great Britain, having 

 occurred some half-dozen times, and it is some- 

 what remarkable that it should not have been 

 more often noticed, as it is by no means un- 

 common in the adjoining countries of the 

 Continent. Many more instances of its occurence have been reported to me, but on 

 enquiry I have always found the evidence to be inconclusive, as it is the Sl<3--Lark 

 which has been observed by my correspondents. The latter bird has a very full 

 crest of feathers, which it often erects, and hence the bird is mistaken for a Crested 

 Lark. The crest of the last-named species is, however, of a different form to that of 

 the Sky-Lark, being long and pointed, projecting from among the feathers on the 

 back of the head. Another difierence between the two species consists in the 

 greater development of the first primary in the Crested Lark, which is very distinctly 

 indicated. The species is generally distributed over Europe, and is represented 1)3' 

 ck)sely allied forms in Northern Africa, India, China, and Central Asia. It rises 

 only a little way from the ground when singing, and does not soar high into the air 

 like the Sky-Lark, nor does it collect into flocks in the autumn. Otherwise its habits 

 are similar to those of other Larks, and it is especiall}- fond of dusting itself in sandy 

 roads. The liest is generally placed on the ground, and the eggs are rather paler 

 than those of the Sky-Lark. 



The Wood-Lark (Lullnia arborca) is a small species, with a well-developed 

 first primary, and although of a generally rufous coloration like the Sky-Lark, it is 

 easily distinguished from that species by the broad band of buffy white which 

 encircles the head, and by the blackish patch on the wing, formed by the black 

 primary-coverts. The crest-feathers are rounded and full. 



The Wood-Lark is a local bird in all the three 

 kingdoms, being decided!}' rarer towards the north, and 

 scarcely known from Scotland. It frequents woodlands 

 and loves to perch on trees, whence it takes short 

 flights into the air, descending with the wings half- 

 closed like a Tree-Pipit, for \\'hich the Wood-Lark is 

 often mistaken. The song is very sweet. The nest 

 is placed on the ground, and is rather more neatlv 

 constructed than that of the Sky-Lark, and the eggs 

 are much lighter in appearance than those of the 

 latter bird, being white, with numerous reddish brown 



The Wood-Lakk. 



dots and underlying grey spots. 



