548 Mr. M, J. Nicoll on the Subspecies oj 



Galerida cristata nigricans Brehra. 



Galerita nigricans Brehm, Vogelfang, 1855, p. 123. 



Galerida cristata nip^icans Brehm; Hartert, Vogel pal. 

 Fauna, i. 1904, p. 227. 



This, the darkest form of the Egyptian Crested Lark, 

 frequents the black soil of the Delta. I have specimens 

 from as far east as Glieit el Nassara, near Damietta, where in 

 January I found it and G. c. altirostis consorting together 

 in small parties. 



From the west Capt. Flower has collected specimens at 

 Sidi Salem, south of Lake Borolos, and Commander Lynes 

 has found it nearly as far west as Esbet Kourched, Avhere it 

 again meets with G. c. altirostris. 



The southward limits of G. c. nigricans appear to be near 

 Cairo, where I have obtained examples at Boulac Dacrour. 



We have no records of the occurrence of this darker form 

 from north of Lake Borolos, the Mediterranean coast being 

 inhabited by G. c. altirostris and G. c. caroli. 



The delta subspecies is easily recognisable by the very 

 dark coloration of the back and the large black blotches on 

 the up^Dcr breast. 



The wing-measurement of males ranges from 100- 

 106 mm. 



Galerida cristata altirostris Brehm. 



Galerita altirostris Brehm, Vogelfang, 1855, p. 124-. 



Galerida cristata altirostris Brehm ; Hartert, Vog. pal. 

 Fauna, i. 1904, p. 233. 



This form of Crested Lark can be traced on the Mediter- 

 ranean coast of Egypt from Mariut on the west as far east 

 as Damietta, southward on both sides of the Nile south of 

 Cairo to Aswan. It generally skirts the breeding range of 

 G. c. nigricans in the delta and keeps to the poorer soil near 

 the desert edge, but in places it meets with, and possibly 

 interbreeds with, the latter. 



At its northern limit G. c. altij-ostris meets, and apparently 

 interbreeds, with G. c. ca?'oZi, for I have examined a specimen 



