CRESTED LARK 



PLATE LXXIV. FIGURE II. 

 Alauda cristata, GOULD. 



THE Crested Lark is a rare or doubtful straggler, 

 never breeding in Great Britain. It is common, though 

 local, in Central and South Europe. 



The nest, which is usually commenced in April, is built 

 on the ground, frequently near houses, on cultivated land. 

 It is made of dry grass, small roots, and straw, and is 

 lined with a few hairs when they are obtainable. 



The eggs are usually four or five in number, and vary 

 very considerably, some being dark greyish white spotted 

 with brown, and others with numerous markings of violet 

 grey. Some resemble those of the Sky Lark, only they 

 are more thickly marked, so that the ground colour becomes 

 invisible. 



