THE CRESTED LARK, 159 



and especially by different shades of colour varying from the 

 almost black G. c. nigricans (Nile Delta) to the pale grey 

 G. c. iwanowi (Turkestan)^ pale sandy G. c. deichleri (north-west 

 Sahara) and rufous-sandy G. c. isabellina (Sudan). G. theklce and 

 its subspecies are distinguished by comparatively shorter bill, 

 greyish axillaries and longer first primary. The long narrow 

 feathers of the crest distinguish Crested Lark at once from all 

 other British Larks (see Plate 6). 



Field-characters. — Haunts roadsides, railway tracks, and sandy 

 ground in parties of two or three, allowing very close approach. 

 Call-note sweet and melodious " dudiria " ; song uttered both on 

 wing and from ground, not unlike Wood-Lark's, but less flute-like 

 and broken into short phrases. Tail short. At close quarters 

 long crest, whether depressed or erect, is characteristic, and 

 outer web of rectrices buff and not white as in Sky-Lark 

 (F.C.R.J.). 



Breeding-habits. — Breeds in dry, sandy districts, near road- 

 sides, also in corn and potato fields and gardens, exceptionally 

 on sheds. Nest. — Carelessly built of dead grasses and plants, 

 sometimes hair in lining, placed in depression of ground. 

 Eggs. — Usually 4 or 5, glossy, and finely spotted or marbled with 

 shades of yellowish-brown and ashy ; sometimes fine brown and 

 grey speckles on grejash- white ground. Spots sometimes form 

 cap or zone at big end. Erythristic variety recorded. Average 

 of 100 eggs, 22.7 X 16.8 mm. Breeding-season. — ^End April (excep- 

 tionally early April) to begiim,ing June. Incubation. — Lasts 12-13 

 days. Both sexes take part. Two broods, perhaps sometimes 

 three. Fledging-period. — In nest 9-11 days, flying a week later. 



Food. — Principally seeds of grasses, corn, etc., and insects. Young 

 fed on insects and larvae. 



Distribution, — England. — Seven. Four in autumn at intervals 

 and one June 12, 1880, Cornwall ; one Littlehampton (Sussex) 

 prior to 1845 ; one near Shoreham (Sussex) Oct. 20, 1863 ; 

 one Dover (Kent) April 22, 1879. Others, including a supposed 

 example co. Dublin, 1836, not authenticated (c/, Saunders, and 

 Ussher, List of Irish Birds, p. 22) . A male from Penzance (Cornwall) 

 Sept., 1846, in Mr. J, H, Gurney's collection, is of this form, but 

 the other specimens require careful comparison. 



Distribution, — Abroad. — Europe from south Sweden to Pyrenees, 

 Italy, Balkans, and south-west Russia. Represented by between 

 twenty and thirty alUed forms in Mediterranean countries, north 

 Africa to Sudan (Senegambia, Nigeria, SomaUland) and many 

 parts of Asia. 



