CLASSIFIED NOTES 475 



the upper surface of the body tawny buff, with broad black centres to the feathers ; primaries 

 and secondaries black, the former narrowly and the latter broadly margined on the outer web 

 with yellowish buff; cheeks, chest, and throat similar to the upper parts; remainder of the 

 under parts white, streaked on the sides and Banks with black. After the autumn moult the 

 general colour of the upper parts is white, formed by the white tips to the black feathers, and 

 by the wearing oft' of these white tips the full black plumage is attained, [w. p. i>. and T. \v.] 



2. Distribution. In Europe this species, like the last, is only known to breed in the 

 steppes of South-east Russia, chiefly near the salt marshes (Kirghiz steppes), east of the Volga. 

 In Asia its breeding range extends east to Turkestan and north to West Siberia. During the 

 winter it is met with in flocks on the Talysch marshes in Transcaucasia, and also occurs 

 occasionally in Central and Western Europe (Galizia, Heligoland, Italy, Belgium), while four 

 have been obtained in England on the Sussex and Kent borders in 1907. [F. c. n. j.] 



[CALANDRA-LARK [Melanocorypha caldndra (Linnagus)]. Is said to have been captured in 

 England, but the two specimens in question may well have been escaped cage-birds. It 

 breeds in Southern Europe and North-west Africa, from Portugal and Marocco in the west to 

 Tunisia, Palestine, Transcaspia, and Turkestan. [F. c. R. J.]] 



SHORTTOED-LARK [Calandrella brachyddctyla (Leisler) ; AUiuda brachyddctyla Leisler. 

 French, aluufte calandrelle ; German, kurzzehif/e Lerche; Italian, calandrella]. 



1. Description. Recognised by its very short claws, the fore-claws measuring -4 mm., 

 whilst that of the hind- toe only measures 1 mm. The sexes are almost alike in coloration and 

 markings, and there is no appreciable seasonal plumage. Adult male general colour above, 

 including the scapulars, sandy buff, with broad black centres to the feathers ; primaries smoky 

 brown ; secondaries darker, but widely fringed with sandy buff; middle tail feathers ash-brown; 

 2nd to 4th pairs black ; outer pairs with an elongated patch of white on the inner web and with 

 the outer margin white ; cheeks isabelline, with dusky brown spots ; throat and belly white, 

 slightly washed with buff, more distinct on the chest and sides of the body, a patch of concealed 

 black feathers on each side of the upper chest, [w. p. p. and T. w.] 



2. Distribution. In Europe the breeding range of this species extends from Spain and 

 Portugal in the west, through Southern France, Italy, the Mediterranean islands, the Balkan 

 Peninsula and South Russia east to Astrakhan and the Caucasus. It also breeds in North Africa 

 from Marocco to Egypt, and in Asia from Palestine to Asia Minor, while from Transcaspia and 

 Persia east to Tibet it is replaced by allied races. During the migration period it occurs 

 casually north of its breeding range, and has been recorded from Heligoland, Switzerland, 

 Germany, North France, and seventeen times from the British Isles (twelve England, four 

 Scotland, one Ireland). Although sedentary in the southern part of its range, it is partially 

 migratory in the north. [F. c. R. J.] 



CRESTED-LARK [Galerida cristdta (Linnaeus) ; Alauda cristdta Linnaeus. French, coclievis, 

 alouette huppde ; German, Haubenlerche ; Italian, cappellaccia]. 



1. Description. Recognised by its long crest, which is more than half an inch long. The 

 sexes are alike in coloration. Length 7 in. [178 mm.]. General colour above sandy brown, 

 with blackish brown centres to the feathers ; upper tail-coverts more vinaceous ; primaries 

 ash-brown, with buff on the outer web ; tail feathers blackish brown, outside pairs brownish 

 buff, with the inner web largely blackish brown ; cheeks like the back ; throat white, with two 

 longitudinal brownish black bands from the angle of the mouth; chest whitish buff, with 

 blackish brown shaft-streaks ; lower breast, belly, and under tail-coverts creamy white ; under 

 surface of primaries and axillaries pinkish buff; iris light brown; bill greyish brown, lower 

 mandible lighter and more dusky ; feet dusky yellowish flesh-colour, [w. p. p. and T. w.] 



