289 



Indian bird does not differ from that met with in Europe. In Northern Africa, however, are two 

 species which, though closely allied to our Crested Lark, I have decided in keeping distinct. The first 

 of these (Galerita macrorhyncha) differs in being larger in size, and having a much larger and more 

 powerful bill than G. cristata ; but occasional large varieties of this latter species, as, for instance, one 

 which I have examined, from Abyssinia, approach rather near to it. The second species (Galerita 

 isabellina) is a pale desert Crested Lark, having a very short small bill, and is easily distinguishable 

 even from pale varieties of G. cristata. Both these species are figured on the same Plate ; and I have 

 also on another Plate figured the two extreme varieties from Abyssinia, to which reference is made 

 below. 



Taking the series of Crested Larks in regular order, I may make the following remarks on the specimens 

 from different localities : — 



Scandinavia. One single specimen in my collection, from Skane, in Sweden, differs in no respect from 

 examples from various parts of Germany. 



Germany. A large series from different localities in Germany present no distinguishable differences ; one 

 example shot by me at Alt-Orsova, in Hungary, is rather small, but not less in size than others from 

 Westphalia. 



Holland and France. One specimen from Holland and three from France do not in the least differ from 

 those obtained in Germany. 



Spain. Specimens from this country differ somewhat according to locality, those from the dry arid country 

 being slightly paler than others from more fertile localities, and having the underparts much whiter, in most 

 examples almost pure white, and the spots on the breast very dark and clearly defined. These are, I conclude, 

 the variety described by Brehm as a distinct species, under the name of Galerita theklae. From Aranjuez are 

 several specimens of this variety; but others from Malaga and Granada are precisely similar to German 

 examples. 



Mr. E. F. von Homeyer, who met with the Crested Lark on the Balearic islands, considers that the 

 species found there is referable to G. theklae of Brehm, which he looks on as a good species, but which I 

 consider a mere variety of G. cristata. This bird, of which I have not examined a typical example, is said to 

 have the upper parts much darker than any Crested Lark, the markings on the underparts intenser, resembling 

 those on a Woodlark, the entire phimage closer and thicker than is generally the case in Crested Larks, 

 more resembling that of a Woodlark. The bird is described as altogether smaller, the wing from carpus 

 always under 100 millimetres, whereas all Crested Larks measure above 100 millimetres, bill almost straight, 

 2-4 millimetres, and the middle toe 2 millimetres shorter than that of G. cristata. The first primary is said 

 to be a good distinctive character, being always shorter in G. cristata than the other primaries, and in 

 G. theklae always longer. I cannot, however, after examining a large series of specimens from Spain, find that 

 any of the above characters hold good. 



Italy. One single specimen from this country is identical with the German examples. 



Greece. I can find no difference between examples from Central Europe and one collected near Corfu by 

 Mr. Hanbury Barclay. 



Turkey. Three examples collected by Mr. Robson agree precisely with the ordinary dark German 

 birds. 



Asia Minor. One specimen collected by Mr. Robson agrees precisely with those from Turkey, both in 

 plumage and measurements. 



Cyprus. A female from Canon Tristram's collection does not differ from the preceding bird, except that 

 the underparts are somewhat paler. 



Palestine. Seven specimens, all collected by Canon Tristram, closely resemble the pale variety above 

 referred to from Aranjuez, in Spain; one of these, marked by Canon Tristram Galerita arenicola, does not 



