256 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



variety to be found in this genus, and almost every district may be 

 said to have its own form of long-billed and short-billed Crested Lark. 

 What Mr. Hartert says {op. cif. p. 334) of our possibly having to deal 

 with three different species of Crested Lark in North Africa, viz., 

 G. cristata, G. theMa, and G. macrorhijnclia, each with its subspecies, 

 is worthy of consideration, although, seeing how the first and last 

 agree in their characteristic features, I hardly think they can be 

 separated specifically. 



While ou this subject I may observe that G. cristata (L.) in its 

 typical form, or even in the slightly modified Mediterranean form, does 

 not appear to occur ;n any part of North Africa, though examples 

 from some districts north of the Atlas approach it closely. 



In Tripoli G. c. macrorliijncha seems to be less plentiful than it 

 is farther west, and in my collection from that country I have but 

 a single specimen, obtained not far from the town of Tripoli. Further 

 south and east in the Vilayet Mr. Dodson does not appear to have 

 met v/ith this Lark. The Tripoli specimen mentioned above is 

 rather rufous in its coloration, but cannot be separated from the 

 present form. 



G. c. macrorhyncha is chiefly to be met with in Tunisia, in districts 

 where plains and large tracts of level country occur, and not, as a 

 rule, in the hilly and mountainous parts of the Regencj', where the 

 small-billed Crested Larks abound. In certain localities, however, 

 where plains adjoin or are not far distant from mountains, both forms 

 are to be met with side by side, though they do not seem to intermingle, 

 or to consort with each other. 



In their nature, and in some of their habits, the two forms differ 

 considerably one from the other. The present form is far more shy 

 and suspicious than its smaller congener ; it seems, indeed, to be 

 constantly on the alert, and rarely allows one to approach it, whereas 

 the small-billed Crested Larks are trustful and confiding, permitting 

 one to walk up to within a few paces of them without showing signs 

 of alarm. Although more exclusively a ground bird than the latter, 

 G. c. macrorhyncha occasionally perches on low bushes, and I have 

 seen it doing so now and then, though not so often as its smaller 

 congeners. 



Throughout the greater part of the year this Lark is to be found 

 in pairs. Its food consists of grain, small seeds, and insects of various 

 kinds. Its notes are less soft and agreeable than those of the small- 

 billed Crested Larks. 



