CWM BYCHAN. 273 



is remarkably thick and warm ; the feathers, which are then elong- 

 ated, are encircled with a hand of light tawny grey, and falling 

 closely over each other, conceal the black colouring of the base of 

 each feather. On the approach of summer, a decomposition takes 

 place in the lighter portions of the feathers, which gradually break 

 off, and leave the bird, in the height of summer, of a jet black, 

 which style of dress continues until autumn when a moult takes 

 place, and the bird again appears in its usual winter clothing. Why 

 the term " Black-and-white Lark" should have been selected as an 

 English name for this bird, we cannot imagine. In our observa- 

 tions on the Short-toed Lark ( Alauda brachydaclyla) we stated that 

 for four species, one of which was the Alauda Tartarica, Boie 

 established a genus under the title of Melanocorypha, which is 

 now adopted. These species, we may again remark, are the A. 

 bimaculala, A. brachydachtyla, A. calandra, and A. Tartarica. 

 In habits as well as in form, they differ from the typical Larks, and 

 constitute a well-marked group. The last species, Melanocorypha 

 (Alauda) Tartarica is very rare, and seldom to be met with either 

 in public or private museums. 



While we were engaged upon the above pages, the talented and 

 persevering author of the Birds of Europe took leave of England 

 for Australia, in order to study, in their native regions, the birds of 

 that interesting portion of the world, with the view of giving to 

 the scientific, and to the patrons of science, a history of their habits 

 and manners, with figures upon the same plan as those in the splen- 

 did work before us. May that success attend his enterprise which 

 he so richlv merits. 



CWM BYCHAN ; A LEGEND OP THE THIRTEENTH 

 CENTURY. 



Near the north-west boundary of Merionethshire there is situated 

 a very remarkable and sequestered dell. This, by the natives, is 

 called Cwm Bychan, and with it are connected many tradition- 

 ary legends. It is embosomed in wild and barren mountains, amid 

 rocks which some mighty convulsion in nature has thrown into every 

 variety of form and aspect. On three sides it is inaccessible, and 

 VOL. VIII., no. xxiv. 35 



