206 CLASS AVES. 



the head is a band of reddish gray interrupted by the eye. 

 The lower parts are of an obscure white, slightly tinted with 

 reddish. 



The head is more thick, and the bill stronger, in the male 

 than in the female, and it has more black on the breast. 

 Both have the tongue wide, and a little forked. 



Without being so common as the sky lark, the crested 

 lark is pretty well spread throughout Europe, from Russia to 

 Greece. It has been seen in Egypt. It seems very doubtful, 

 according to Dr. Latham, whether it is ever found in this 

 country. It does not seem to be migratory ; at least, it does 

 not quit France in winter. During this season it sojourns 

 frequently on the borders of streams, and is often seen on 

 roads, and sometimes in the midst of a flight of sparrows, 

 seeking, like them, the undigested grains in horse-dung. It 

 is usually found in fields and meadows, at the back of ditches, 

 on the ridges of ploughed land, and sometimes at the entrance 

 of woods. It is frequently seen at the entrance of villages, 

 and sometimes will come in and plant itself on dunghills, on 

 the walls of inclosures, and the roofs of houses. It neither 

 flies in flocks like the common lark, nor rises so high ; and it 

 continues in flight a longer time without alighting. It is by 

 no means wild, nor does it dread the appearance of man, but 

 commences to sing at his approach. The males sing infinitely 

 better than the females, and their voice is very sweet and 

 agreeable. During fine weather there is no cessation to their 

 strains ; but they become silent when the sky is overcast, 

 and rain descends ; they forget their gaiety and their music 

 until the re-appearance of a brilliant sun reanimates their 

 vivacity. They usually sing until the month of September. 

 In captivity they also sing, and retain more readily the airs 

 which are taught them from the bird-organ, than almost any 

 other bird. But they seldom survive the loss of their liberty. 



