CRESTED LARK. 481 



a longitudinal crest, consisting of ten feathers, in the 

 form of a truncated cone, reclining backwards. Its head 

 and bill were rather large in proportion to its size. The 

 latter was of a horny white (colour), and slightly curved 

 at the end. A band, darker than the colour of the breast, 

 ran round the throat, and joined the rufous brown of the 

 back. The general colour of its breast and belly was a 

 dusky white, mottled with brown ; the wing-feather edged 

 with white and rufous. Its tail was long, and consisted 

 of twelve stiff feathers, edged with a whitish yellow. Its 

 hind toe and nail were remarkably long. I searched the 

 Naturalist's Cabinet, and the Zoological Journal, in vain, 

 for a description of this little bird. When not looking 

 for it, however, I accidentally met with one in Buffon. 

 He describes it under the name of ' Le Cochevis, ou la 

 grosse alouette huppee,' as well as its specific designation 

 of ' Alauda cristata.' He mentions it as an inhabitant 

 of Italy, France, Germany, Poland, and Scotland ; but 

 does not say that it is found in England or Ireland, yet I 

 am convinced I have frequently met them in the furrows 

 and meadows of Dublin. (Signed) W. R." 



Since the publication of this notice a specimen has been 

 killed in Sussex, and by the kindness of the gentleman 

 who now possesses it, I am enabled to give a figure and 

 description from that bird. 



More than one example of the Crested Lark has been 

 obtained in Ireland since ; and three have occurred near 

 Penzance, as recorded by E. H. Rodd, Esq. 



When publishing his fine work on the Birds of Europe, 

 Mr. Gould was not aware that any record existed of the 

 occurrence of this species in the British Islands, and re- 

 marks that " this is the more singular as from the cir- 

 cumstance of the Crested Lark extending its range to 

 many parts of the coast which are opposite our own, and 



VOL. I. II 



