3i 
Perching Birds. 
pale ground colour is less obscured by brown 
spots and markings, which, when present, are 
confined to the larger end of the egg. 
The Crested Lark ( Galerita cristata ) is 
only a rare visitor to Great Britain, having 
occurred some half-dozen times, and it is some- 
what remarkable that it should not have been 
more often noticed, as it is by no means un- 
common in the adjoining countries of the 
Continent. Many more instances of its occurence have been reported to me, but on 
enquiry I have always found the evidence to be inconclusive, as it is the Sky-Lark 
which has been observed by my correspondents. The latter bird has a very full 
crest of feathers, which it often erects, and hence the bird is mistaken for a Crested 
Lark. The crest of the last-named species is, however, of a different form to that of 
the Sky-Lark, being long and pointed, projecting from among the feathers on the 
back of the head. Another difference between the two species consists in the 
greater development of the first primary in the Crested Lark, which is very distinctly 
indicated. The species is generally distributed over Europe, and is represented by 
closely allied forms in Northern Africa, India, China, and Central Asia. It rises 
only a little way from the ground when singing, and does not soar high into the air 
like the Sky- Lark, nor does it collect into flocks in the autumn. Otherwise its habits 
are similar to those of other Larks, and it is especially fond of dusting itself in sandy 
roads. The nest is generally placed on the ground, and the eggs are rather paler 
than those of the Sky-Lark. 
The Wood-Lark ( Lullula arborea) is a small species, with a well-developed 
first primary, and although of a generally rufous coloration like the Sky-Lark, it is 
easily distinguished from that species by the broad band of buffy white which 
encircles the head, and by the blackish patch on the wing, formed by the black 
primary-coverts. The crest-feathers are rounded and full. 
The Wood-Lark is a local bird in all the three 
kingdoms, being decidedly rarer towards the north, and 
scarcely known from Scotland. It frequents woodlands 
and loves to perch on trees, whence it takes short 
flights into the air, descending with the wings half- 
closed like a Tree-Pipit, for which the Wood-Lark is 
often mistaken. The song is very sweet. The nest 
is placed on the ground, and is rather more neatly 
constructed than that of the Sky-Lark, and the eggs 
are much lighter in appearance than those of the 
latter bird, being white, with numerous reddish brown 
dots and underlying grey spots. 
The Wood-Lark. 
The Crested Lark. 
