136 



[The Asiatic form, A. arvensis cinerea Ehmcke, which breeds in W. 

 Siberia, Turkestan, Persia, etc. (and winters as far W. as Algeria and 

 Tunis) has occurred in Scotland in winter [Ann. Scott. Nat. Hist. 1906, 

 p. 139). In Algeria, N. Tunis and perhaps part of Marocco the resident 

 birds belong to the race A. arvensis liarterti Whit. Eggs 4 in number; 

 average of 8 (Erlanger and Whitaker), 22.25 X 16.44 mm.] 



[Curve billed Lark, Alaemon alaudipes (Desf.). 



Eggs: Konig, Joiirn. f. Orn. 1895, Tab. VII, fig. 5, a, b. 



Certhilauda desertorum (Stanl.). Dresser, Birds of Europe, IV, p. 273. C. 

 alaudipes (Desf.). Id. Man. Pal. Birds, p. 375. Alaemon alaudipes alaxtdipes (Desf.). 

 Hartert, Vog. Pal. Fauna, p. 250. 



Breeding Range: N.Africa, south of the Atlas Range. (Stated to have 

 occurred in S. Europe, but probably erroneoush^) 



A true desert haunting bird, breeding on, or under shelter of low scrub, 

 and laying 8—4 eggs, creamy white, with violet shell marks, and brown surface 

 spots, which sometimes form a zone. They may be found from March to May. 

 Average size of 16' eggs (Konig 5, Erlanger 4, and 7 by the writer), 21.78X16.55 

 mm.. Max. 23x18 mm., Min. 20X15 mm. Average weight of 9 eggs, 173 mg.] 



69. Dupoiifs Lark, Chersopliiliis diipoiiti (VieilL). 



Certhilauda duponti (VieilL). Dresser, Birds of Europe, IV, p. 279; 

 id. Man. Pal. Birds, p. 376. Chersophilus duponti duponti (VieilL). Hartert, 

 Vog. Pal. Fauna, p. 252. 



Breeding Range: N. Algeria and Tunis. Also recorded from Por- 

 tugal and said to occur on the Balearic Isles, (One accidental occurrence 

 in Italy in Nov. 1900.) 



The status of this bird in Europe is by no means satisfactorily known. 

 Barboza du Bocage records the 'var. lusitanica' from the S. of the Tagus, 

 opposite Lisbon, but whether it is resident in Portugal or not is doubtful. 

 Irby states that several have been obtained in the Malaga district, and of 

 late years many skins are said to have been received from the Balearic Isles, but 

 von Homeyer saw no Larks there except the Short-toed and a form of 

 Crested Lark. In Italy one specimen has been recorded (20. XI. 1900). 

 In Tunis Whitaker has found it throughout the greater part of the high 

 plateaux of central Tunis to over 3000 ft, as well as in the plains, and 

 is of opinion that its apparent scarcity is due to the extraordinary capacity 

 possessed by the bird for concealing itself. Its haunts are covered with 

 patches of vsdld thyme and other plants, which afford it ample cover. 

 Nest. The nest is placed at the foot of some plant, and is loosely built of 



bents and soft particles of Anthemis mixta. 

 Eggs. The eggs are 3 — 4 in number, and may be found in Tunis from 



the beginning of April to late in June. They vary considerably, even in 



