106 THE BIRDS OF COOKHAM AND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD. 
Italy, to hear the Tree-creeper continually singing. His song, 
like his call note, is something like that of the Golden-crested 
Regulus. I could not believe my ears when I first heard the 
song coming from the little fellow, as he crept up the side of an 
old olive, apparently as intent as possible on an examination 
of its bark. He sings incessantly, and his song once heard can- 
not be mistaken. Itis a great deal stronger than the Golden- 
crest’s (Regulus cristatus) or the Fire-crest’s (2. ignicapillus) . . . 
. .. The Tree-creeper singing in Italy and never uttering a 
sound here is very curious. I shot one and examined it carefully, 
but did not find the slightest difference between it and the birds 
of this country.” 
This last statement rather surprises me, as I have found con- 
siderable differences between the continental Tree-creeper and 
the one found in England, and I am only waiting for additional 
specimens to enable me to prove that they are distinct species, 
as in the case of the Long-tailed Tits. 
Fam. ALAUDIDz. 
Genus ALAUDA. 
Alauda arborea. The Woodlark. 
This species is of very rare occurrence at Cookham. Great 
quantities of Woodlarks are annually sent to London from Wales, 
as I learn from Mr. Davey, of Kentish Town. 
Alauda arvensis. The Sky-lark. 
Abundant all the year round, but receiving considerable addi- 
tion to their numbers in the autumn, when they assemble in 
flocks and do not separate until the spring. Even in the breed- 
ing season, larks may be seen in the early morning, feeding in 
company on the ploughed fields. The hind toe of this species 
is always long, and is sometimes found enormously developed. 
Lam. YRINGILLID.&. 
Sub-fam, EMBERzIn.z. 
Genus PLECTROPHANES. 
Plectrophanes nivalis. The Snow Bunting. 
I was delighted to find a short time ago in Mr, Joseph Ford’s 
eats. 
