VOL. x] BIRDS NEW TO BRITISH LIST. 255 



The above record by Mr. Nichols must, however, we con- 

 sider, be accepted as the history of the birds is clear, and 

 although the species is a favourite cage-bird on the continent, 

 it is extremely unlikely that two examples (or five if we 

 accept those seen) escaped from captivity should be found 

 together. The birds themselves have no appearance of 

 having been in captivity. They are of the typical form. 



As this and the two other birds recorded here are new to 

 the British list, I append a description or diagnosis of each, 

 and Mr. Parkin kindly allows me to reproduce a photograph 

 of the Semi-palmatefl Ringed Plover ^^hich he had taken after 

 the bird was sthffed. 



Calandra Laek {Melanocorypha c. calandra). 



Tf'E.'iQBM'TiOT^.^ Adult tiialp and female. Winter. — Crown, 

 hind-neck, mantle, scapulars, back and upper tail-coverts brown 





CALANDRA LARK. 



to greyish-brown, each feather mesially streaked black-brown 

 very broadly on mantle, less broadly on crown, and narrowlv 

 on hind-neck ; feathers of centre of mantle Math rather con- 

 spicuous whitish-brown edges, most feathers of upper-parts 

 in \ery fresh plumage with very narrow' whitish tips which 

 soon wear off ; rump brown without dark streaks ; lores 

 and line over and behind eye, creamy-white ; cheeks whitish, 

 speckled brown ; ear-coverts brown ; chin, centre of throat 

 and sides of neck below ear-coverts creamy-white sparsely 

 speckled dark brown, except in malar region where speckles 

 form ill-defined stripe ; on each side of lower throat con- 

 spicuous black patch ; upper-breast buffish-white streaked 

 black-brown, rest of breast and belly and under tail-coverts 

 white ; flanks, under wing-coverts and axillaries greyish- 

 brown, feathers with very narrow greyish- white tips ; tail- 



