129 



c. Caucasian Crested Lark, Gr. cristata caucasica Tacz. 



G. cristata caucasica Tacz. Hartert, Vog. Pal. Fauna, p. 230. 



Breeding Range: The Caucasus and W. shores of the Caspian, 

 from Petrowsk to Lenkoran. 



Although breeding almost exclusively on the steppes, a few pairs 

 nest in the Caucasus up to about 4000 ft. according to Bogdanow. 



<1. Balkan Crested Lark, G. cristata meridionalis Brelini. 



Plate 16, fig. 18, 19 (Attica). 



Eggs: Baedeker, Tab. 66, fig. 9. 



Foreign Names: Greece: Korudalbs, Katzouliera. 



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



Breeding Range: Dalmatia, Herzegovina, Montenegro, Turkey and 

 Greece. 



In Montenegro Reiser met with a pair breeding at a height of 1500 ft., 

 but this is exceptional, and most birds are found in the vineyards, gardens, 

 and roadsides of the peninsula. In Greece this form is common and general 

 as well as in the Cyclades, and probably also in Crete. Eggs 4 — 5 in 

 number.* The breeding season in the south begins in April, in the north 

 usually in early May. Average of 10 eggs from Greece (6 by Reiser and 

 4 by Rey in litt.) 23 X 16.52 mm., Max. 24.9 X 17.1 mm., Min. 20.9 X 15.9 

 and 24.7 X 15.8 mm. Average weight of 6 eggs 186 mg. (Reiser). 



e. Spanish Crested Lark, d. cristata pallida Brehm. 



Foreign Names: Portugal: Cotovia de poupa. Spain: Carretera, 

 Cujada. 



G. cristata pallida Brehm. Hartert, Vog. Pal. Fauna, p. 231. 



Breeding Range: S. Spain and Portugal. 



In the Iberian peninsula besides the present race, Brehm's Crested 

 Lark, G. tlieklae Brehm, is also found. Hartert has identified this form 

 from Valencia, Murcia, Granada and Seville, and in Portugal from Beira 

 and Estremadura. It haunts the plains in preference to the sierras, where 

 G. tlieklae is met with. Nest made of dead grasses with horsehair in 

 lining; diameter of cup 2\ in. Eggs usually 4, rarely 5 in number, and 

 variable in colour and markings. The breeding season begins about mid 

 April. 28 eggs from the Guadalquivir valley average 22.64 X 16.59 mm.. 

 Max. 24 X 17 and 23 X 17.5 mm., Min. 21 X 16.3 and 22 X 16 mm. 



[In N. Africa several other races are found; G. c. riggeribachi Hart, in- 

 habits the corn fields and plains of middle and S. W. Marocco, G. c. macro- 



* In Asia Minor the usual clutch consists of 5 eggs, and occasionally 6 are 

 found (F. C. Selous). 



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