128 



rare, it is now established in many localities. In Italy it is common, as 

 is also the case in Sicily. 

 Nest. Almost invariably found in the immediate neighbourhood of roads 



and dwelling places, where small parties of two or three birds may fre- 

 quently be met with, and are as a rule extraordinarily tame and familiar. 

 They show decided preference for low lying sandy and barren districts and 

 avoid mountain ranges, breeding frequently by the roadsides, and also on 

 the fallows and among com, potato fields, or in gardens. The nest has 

 also been found on low turf walls and on the roofs of sheds in the fields. 

 It is composed of the usual materials, dead grasses, bents, etc., with a 

 lining of finer grasses and occasionally a few horsehairs. Diameter of cup 

 about 2{- in., depth 1 in. 

 Eggs. According to Rey, about 66 per cent of German nests contain 4 eggs, 



and the remainder 5. (Clutches of 6 are rarely, if ever found in Europe, 

 but occur in the case of some of the Asiatic races, while some of the N. 

 African forms often lay 3 eggs only). In appearance they run through 

 most of the variations of the Calandra and Skylark's eggs, but are more 

 glossy than the eggs of the latter bird. Dr. Rey possesses a erythristic 

 variety with a distinctly red ground. 



Breeding In Germany Rey found the earliest full clutches at the end of April, 



eason. ^^^ ^^^ j^g^. £j.gg]^ Qggs at the beginning of June. Period of incubation 

 13 days; the young remain in the nest for 10 days and are able to fly 

 in 18 days. 



Measure- Rey gives the average of 100 eggs as 22.7x16.8 mm., Max. 24.7X17 



and 22X18.3 mm., Min. 19X15 mm. This agrees closely with the average 

 of 38 eggs as given by Bau, 22.6X16.6 mm. Average weight 192 mg. 

 (Rey), 189 mg. (Bau). Abnormal eggs in the Rey collection measure 

 27.5X18.9 and 18x13.2 mm., and Ottosson records an egg^ 21.5X14.7 mm. 



Geographical Races. 



a. Mid-European Crested Lark, G. cristata cristata (L.). See above. 

 1). S. Russian Crested Lark, G. cristata tenuirostris Brehm. 



Foreign Names: Russia: Javronok choclilatyi, Posmetuslika. 



G. cristata tenuirostris Brehm. Hartert, Vog. Pal. Fauna, p. 230. 



Breeding Range: S. Russia to Rumania (Sarepta, Poltava, Czema- 

 voda, and Baragana). 



Found in the valleys of the Lower Volga and Dnieper, and resident 

 in small numbers near houses on the Astrakhan steppes, as well as in the 

 Crimea. Also in the lower Danube valley. 



ments. 



