456 ALAUDIDA. 
a longitudinal crest, consisting of ten feathers, im the 
form of a truncated cone, reclining backwards. Its head 
and bill were rather large in proportion to its size. The 
latter was of a horny white, (colour) and slightly curved 
at the end. A band, darker than the colour of the breast, 
ran round the throat, and joined the rufous brown of the 
back. The general colour of its breast and belly was a 
dusky white, mottled with brown; the wing-feather edged 
with white and rufous. Its tail was long, and consisted 
of twelve stiff feathers, edged with a whitish yellow. Its 
hind toe and nail were remarkably long. I searched the 
Naturalist’s Cabinet, and the Zoological Journal, in vain, 
for a description of this little bird. When not looking 
for it, however, I accidentally met with one in Buffon. 
He describes it under the name of ‘ Le Cochevis ou la 
grosse alouétte huppée,” as well as its specific designation 
of ‘ Alauda cristata. He mentions it as an inhabitant 
of Italy, France, Germany, Poland, and Scotland ; but 
does not say that it is found in England or Ireland, yet I 
am convinced I have frequently met them in the furrows 
and meadows of Dublin. (Signed) W. R.” 
Since the publication of this notice a specimen has been 
killed in Sussex, and by the kindness of the gentleman 
who now possesses it, Iam enabled to give a figure and 
description from this example. 
When publishing his fine work on the Birds of Europe, 
Mr. Gould was not aware that any record existed of the 
occurrence of this species in the British Islands, and re- 
marks that ‘this is the more singular as from the cir- 
cumstance of the Crested Lark extending its range to 
many parts of the coast which are opposite our own, and 
from its being particularly common in the fields and plains 
round Calais, it might pass and repass to Dover at will. 
