THE CRESTED LARK 



Galerita cristata 



All upper plumage brown ; the large feathers of wings 

 and tail edged with a lighter buffish tone ; crest of narrow 

 dark-brown feathers with light edges ; back of crest, as one 

 sees under it when raised, tells very rich dark brown ; under- 

 parts white spotted and streaked on breast with dark brown. 

 Length, 6 '7 inches. 



For once the name does really describe the bird, 

 so that none may be in any doubt whatever. For 

 the crest is the one thing noticed. I have drawn 

 one with a fine crest, but have been afraid to make 

 it as big as I have in one or two cases seen it. 

 Early in February I saw some that I really think 

 had the crest a full eighth of an inch higher than 

 my drawing shows. In each case they were un- 

 doubtedly showing off to their lady-love. The 

 crest can be, and often is, raised at an absolute 

 ri";ht angle as to a line horizontal with the beak. 

 The bird is so tame that frequently it sits on the 

 path so that you fear your donkey will tread on it, 

 and so common that no one, however unobservant, 

 but must notice it ; it is particularly in evidence 

 on the great Thebes plain across which all go to the 



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