546 Mr. M. J. Nicoll on the Subspecies of 



XXXIII. — Some Remarks on the Subspecies of Crested Larks 

 (Galerida cristata) /o«^ra</ in Egypt. By M. J. Nicoll, 

 M.B.O.U. 



The following remarks are based on a series of 136 speci- 

 mens of Galerida cristata brought together by the writer 

 during seven and a half years' residence in Egyptj as well as 

 on a careful examination of the entire series of Egyptian 

 Crested Larks in the Tring Museum including Brehm's 

 types of G. c. nigricans, G. c. altirostris^ and the type of 

 G. c. caroli Hartert. 



It is a somewhat remarkable fact that no fewer than five 

 distinct forms of Galerida cristata are found as residents 

 in Egypt north of Haifa "^, For convenience I append a 

 short key. 



1. Galerida cristata nigricans. 



Very dark above aud heavily marked with black on the under- 

 parts. 

 Wing-measurement of male, 100-106 mm. 



2. Galerida cristata altirostris. 



Paler above than G. c. nigricans and the marking on the under- 

 parts paler and less clearly defined. 



Wing-measure Qient of males, 98-103'5 mm. 



3. Galerida cristata mceritica. 



Paler above than G. c. altiy-ostj-is, the underparts usually whiter 

 and clearly marked with black streaks on the breast. 

 Wing-measurement of males, 101-108 mm. 



4. Galerida cristata caroli. 



Pale sandy, greyer in winter plumage. 

 Wing-measurement of males, lOO-lOJ/5 mm. 



5. Galerifja cristata brachyxjra. 



Somewhat intermediate between G. c. caroli and G. c. altirostris. 

 See remarks under this subspecies. 



I do not for a moment pretend that the following remarks 

 are " the last word " on the subject_, as I have yet much 

 ground to go over before I can ascertain the exact range of 

 each race of this interesting species, and it is possible that 



* In the Egyptian Sudan G. c. mibica and G. c. isabellina are found 

 between Haifa and Khartoum (the former is very nearly allied to 

 G. c. caroli). Neither have been recorded from Egypt. 



