LULLULA ARBOREA. 113 
The Crested Lark usually commences to lay about the 20th 
of April, placing its nest in some tuft of grass or under shelter 
of a small stone or clod of earth — constructing it, like those 
of other Larks, with bits of grass bents &c., lined with 
hair. 
One nest which I found was placed between the tracks of a 
much frequented road near Tangier, in such a position that 
every passing animal must have touched the small clumps of 
grass under cover of which the nest was built. Now, was this 
site chosen because snakes, lizards, and other vermin would 
be less likely to come on the beaten track ? I cannot help 
thinking that birds in many instances have instinct enough to 
breed close to houses and roads with a view to obtain protec- 
tion from their enemies through the presence of man. 
The Crested Lark is subject to great difference in the depth 
of the tints of the plumage. This difference of colour varies 
according to the soil, and has been very puzzling to cabinet 
naturalists, as the enormous list of synonyms will testify. 
Mr. Dresser, in his article on this bird, gives no less than 
thirty-seven different names, which have for the greater part 
been manufactured on account of the variations of plumage 
and size noticed in this species. 
145. LuLLULA ARBOREA (Linn.). The Wood-Lark. 
Spanish. Alondra de monte. 
According to Favier, this species '' occurs near Tangier on 
passage during March.'' 
On the Andalucian side the Wood-Lark is sparingly and 
locally distributed during the winter months up to as late 
as the 21st of April, frequenting scrub where not very thick, 
a favourite locality near Gibraltar being the Chapparales in 
the Cork-wood. Well known to the Spanish birdcatchers, 
and highly valued as a cage-bird ; I am assured by them that 
the Wood-Lark never remains to nest near Gibraltar. 
This species is rather short-tailed, and has a light-brow7i 
eyebrow. 
