310 



since determined that it is any thing else than the Common Sky-Lark, and we cannot see any 

 difference in structure in the specimens lent us by Mr. Gumey. 



Obs. The Sky-Larks which inhabit the Old World are one and all closely allied to each other ; and so 

 nearly do some of these species approximate, that in many cases it is almost impossible to draw the line of 

 demarcation. Mr. G. R. Gray, in his ' Hand-list/ enumerates sixteen species of true Alauda, of which we 

 may at once dismiss six peculiar to Africa as unnecessary to the present discussion. Those that remain are 

 the following: — A. arvensis, A. triborhyncha, A. gulgula, A. japonica, A. malabarica, A. hermonensis, A. re- 

 bouclia, A. cantarella, A. ccelivox, and A. montana, of Crespon (nee Brehm) . Of these we consider A. hermo- 

 nensis and A. reboudia to belong to Calandrella ; but none of the remaining Larks can be passed over by any 

 one who desires to write a true history of the Common Sky-Lark. We may at once observe that all the above- 

 mentioned species are credited with a peculiar habitat, with the exception of A. cantarella, which was originally 

 described from Italy, and has been recorded by various writers as an inhabitant of nearly every country east- 

 ward as far as China. Our experience of this so-called species convinces us that a specific separation of 

 A. cantarella from A. arvensis is impossible. After a careful examination of a large series of Sky-Larks, from 

 all portions of the known world, we are fain to admit that from Egypt and South-eastern Europe, along the 

 whole line of the desert region, a Lark is met with which, in comparison with that of Northern Europe, is 

 rather smaller, more mealy in plumage, with slightly more grey on the hind neck, and with the stripes of the 

 breast rather more plainly indicated ; but we have been able to find among our examples from other parts of 

 Europe specimens that agree with every variation of this so-called A. cantarella. We have therefore no 

 hesitation in adding Prince Bonaparte's name as an undoubted synonym of A. arvensis. That there are 

 variations in plumage we freely admit ; but of how little value these differences are as specific characters will 

 be gathered from the following analysis of the birds now before us, which will illustrate the geographical 

 distribution of A. arvensis and its allies over the Palsearctic and Indian regions : — 



British Islands. Examples agree with the descriptions above given. Scotch specimens seem to be a 

 trifle more dingy; but the darkest in colour are those found in the counties of Northumberland and Durham, 

 owing probably to the smokiness that pervades those localities. In the south of England the birds which 

 arrive during very severe weather are much darker than the resident species, and are called by the country 

 people " Snow-Larks," " Scotch or Northern Larks." Total length 6'5-7'4 inches, culmen 0-5-0-55, wing 

 3-9-4-5, tail 2-8-3-1, tarsus 0-9-1-0, hind claw 0-5-0-7. 



Germany. We are indebted to the kindness of Professor Peters for the loan of a specimen of Brehm's 

 Alauda agrestis from the Berlin Museum; and as we have received from Herr W. Schltiter, of Halle, a fine 

 series of ordinary German specimens, we have been enabled to institute a comparison between Brehm's 

 subspecies and the true Sky-Lark. Most of the German birds are precisely similar to Engbsh examples, 

 measuring as follows : — Total length 6 - 8-7 - 3 inches, culmen 0-5-0-6, wing 4-4—1-6, tad 2-8-3-0, tarsus 0-95-1-0, 



1. A. agrestis. 



2. A. a?Tensis. 



