194 The White-Winged Lark 



to be tlie case with PyauviotKs Icucotis the Persian specimens of wliich have a fine 

 variable liquid song, whereas the smaller examples found in N.W. India are very 

 poor singers. Judging b}^ Jerdou's account, the Crested Lark of India can be 

 little inferior to the Mongolian or Tientsin Lark, the song of which, though it 

 contains some harsh scolding notes, is exceedingly amusing and in some of its 

 phrases really fine. My advice to aviculturists would, therefore, be, not to accept 

 Mr. Rausch's decision as final ; but, if the}' desire to keep the Crested Lark, 

 import it from India, or even from Pekin, where according to Pere David (P.Z.S. 

 187 1, p. 390) it is resident and common, as it also is in Mongolia. 



In India this bird, according to Jerdon (cf. Cat. Birds, E. Ind. Comp., 

 vol. II, p. 466) " feeds on various insects, chiefly grasshoppers, and in default of 

 this food, on grain and seeds." This supports the statement made by Seebohm : 

 — "The food of the Crested Lark does not differ from that of its congeners. In 

 the spring and summer it is chiefly composed of insects and larvae, and in the 

 autumn and winter of various small seeds and grain." It is exactly what one 

 would expect. In captivity it should have soft food, seeds (Canary and millet), 

 also insects, mealworms, etc. 



Familx—ALA UDID^. 



The White AVinged Lark. 



ilTclanocorypha sidirica, Gmp;l. 



THIS species was admitted into the British list in consequence of a female 

 having been captured alive near Brighton, on November 22nd, 1869, and 

 exhibited by Mr. G. Dawson Rowley at a meeting of the Zoological 

 Society, held Jan. 27th, 1870. It is a common Russian species; and, by anyone 

 acquainted with the allied Mongolian Lark, is exceedingly likely to have been 



