3946 The Zoologist— April, 1874 



Jackdaw. — Jackdaws were seen at St. Pol de Leon, wheeling 

 round and about the tower and spire of the old church of Notre 

 Dame de Kreisker, which is three hundred and sixty-six feet in 

 height, in the open inullion-work of which they may possibly 

 breed. 



Crested Lark. — This interesting species was observed at Roscoff 

 in small numbers, generally two or three together, feeding on a much 

 frequented road and causeway leading to the harbour, where carts 

 were constantly passing to and from the vessels lying alongside the 

 mole. On the near approach of a cart they would rise on wing, 

 and wheeling round re-settle on the same spot ; this I observed them 

 do again and again, and so tame or fearless were they that they 

 would allow one to get within five or six yards of them. What 

 they were feeding on 1 could not make out; but the road being hard 

 and well worn, there could be little found except chance grains of 

 corn, or may be insects attracted by the horses and cattle. Though 

 it has been said to resemble the sky lark it differs greatly in shape 

 and somewhat in size, being shorter, particularly in the tail, and in 

 that respect more like the wood lark : its walk is not so stately, nor 

 is the head held so erect as that of the former. Yarrell tells us that 

 this species is " like the common lark in form," and that " its tail is 

 long"; and the figure might be taken for that of the sky lark, but 

 then it was delineated from a stuffed specimen, which the taxi- 

 dermist had doubtless made to stand erect, whereas the crested lark 

 has a crouching, stealthy walk, the neck contracted. Morris's figure 

 is more exact, and the position more natural, though it is repre- 

 sented with crest erect, whereas those I saw had it usually depressed 

 or recumbent, but at all times distinguishable : his remarks on some 

 of its habits tally with my observations — for instance, its approaching 

 habitations, and being solitary rather than gregarious. 



Chaffinch, ^c. — Of small birds the chaffinch is by far the most 

 numerous, and is to be met with everywhere ; in no part of England 

 have I seen them in such abundance or so familiar. The house 

 sparrow, on the contrary, is comparatively scarce, and so is the 

 hedgesparrow. 



Sky Lark.— The sky lark was seen in considerable flocks, though 

 a much persecuted species, being in great request for the table. 



Goldencrested Wren. — Several were seen in a fir-plantation at 

 Quimper, and it is seemingly a numerous species, being too small 

 a gibier for the table. 



