75 



the i rides are hazel ; the crown which it can erect is 

 dusky, bordered with rufous brown ; the upper parts 

 are reddish brown, dark in the middle, with pale 

 edges; the fore-part of the neck is reddish-white; 

 the breast, belly and thighs are white ; the quills are 

 brown, with pale edges ; the tail the same, and forked ; 

 the two middle feathers of which are dark, the outer- 

 most white, on the outer edges ; the legs are dusky ; 

 the hind claw 'very long and straight. 



The sky-lark forms its nest on the ground, gene- 

 rally between two clods of earth, and lines it with 

 grass and roots. 



The female lays 4 or 5 dirty white eggs, spotted 

 with brown ; and often has two broods in the year. 



The sky-lark is much valued for its song, and is often 

 kept in a domestic state. Many thousands are also taken 

 in winter when they are fat, for the table. 



2. CRISTATELLA. ") LESSER CRESTED - 



MINOR. MONT. VLARK, OR FIELD 



AGRESTIS. Syn. SHAW.) LARK. 



A . capite crutato, carpore supra fusco subtus albi- 

 cante, remiyibus rectricibusquefusci$,pedibiis sub- 

 rubris. Shaw. 



The bill is dusky above, white beneath; iricies 

 hazel; the plumage is light yellowish brown; the 

 middle of each feather is dusky brown ; the wing 

 coverts are tipped with whitish ; the rump is plain 



