ALAUDA CRIST ATA. 119 



resort as much on account of the horse- and mule-dung, at which 

 they are to be seen pecking, as for the purpose of dusting them- 

 selves ; and they are often to be noticed on the sea-shore, running 

 about like a Sanderling within a yard of the water. They have 

 no song worthy of the name, and are altogether rather vulgar 

 and uninteresting birds. This species is one of those which I 

 could not detect migrating in the slightest degree. 



The Crested Lark usually commences to lay about the 20th of 

 April, placing the nest in some tuft of grass or under shelter of a 

 small stone or clod of earth constructing it, like those of other 

 Larks, with bits of grass, bents, &c., lined with hair. 



One nest which we found was placed between the tracks of a 

 much frequented road near Tangier, in such a position that every 

 passing animal must have touched the small clump of grass under 

 cover of which the nest was built. Now, was this site chosen 

 because snakes, lizards, and other vermin would be less likely to 

 come on the beaten track I I cannot help thinking that birds in 

 many instances have instinct enough to breed close to houses 

 and roads with a view to obtain protection from some of their 

 enemies through the presence of man, who is perhaps their worst 

 foe. 



The Crested Lark is subject to great difference in the tints of 

 the plumage. The difference of colour varies according to the 

 soil and climate, and has been very puzzling to cabinet or table 

 naturalists, as the enormous list of synonyms will testify. 

 Mr. Dresser, in his article on this bird, gives no less than thirty- 

 seven different names, which have for the greater part been 

 manufactured on account of the variations of plumage and size 

 noticed in this species. 



Mr. Sharpe (Catalogue of Birds, British Museum, vol. xiii. p. 633) has 

 Galerita (Alauda) thecklce as a distinct species, giving S. Spain and N.E. 

 Africa as the habitat. Exactly similar in habits and note, it appears to be 

 only a small local race of A. cristata. 



Galerita macrorhyncha, Tristram, mentioned by Mr. Drake as occurring 

 near Morocco, is only another local race of the Crested Lark. 



