88 
allen’s naturalist’s library. 
developed, the hind claw not as long as the bill, the latter being 
long and slender, and the crest very distinct, long, and narrow, 
and extending backwards in a point from the back of the head. 
Like the Sky-Larks, these birds vary greatly in the colour of 
the plumage according to the districts ‘they inhabit, being paler 
in the desert countries. Four species are recognised, and the 
genus is found from Southern and Central Europe, across to 
Central Asia, and even to Northern China. Qrested Larks also 
inhabit Abyssinia and the plains of Western Africa. 
the crested lark, galerita cristata. 
Alauda cristata, Linn., S. N., i., p. 288 (1766) ; Dresser, B. Eur., 
iv., p. 285, pis. 228-229 (1873) 1 Newt. ed. Yarn, i., p. 622 
(1874); B. O. U. List Br. B., p. 71 (18S3); Seeb., Br. B., 
ii., p. 261 (1884); Saunders, Man., p. 243 (1889). 
Galerita cristata, Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus„ xiii., n 6^6 
(1890). 
Adult Male.— Brown, streaked with blackish centres to the 
feathers; lower back and rump more uniform ashy-brown, in- 
clining to vinaceous on the upper tail coverts ; wings brown, 
the feathers edged with ashy or rufous ; tail-feathers brown’ 
edged with ashy, the outer one pale brown sandy-buff exter- 
nally, with an oblique dark mark on the inner web ; crown of 
head streaked like the back, with a long median crest of pointed 
feathers ; ear-coverts brown, with a whitish patch below the 
eye ; cheeks and throat whitish, the former spotted with black- 
ish ; rest of under surface of body isabelline, the fore-neck and 
breast browner, the chest thickly spotted, and the sides of the 
body streaked with black ; under wing-coverts and axillaries 
clear vinous isabelline ; bill brown, paler on the lower man- 
dible ; feet dusky yellowish flesh-colour; iris light brown. 
Total length, 7 inches ; culmen, 07 ; wing, 4-25 ; tail, 27 • 
tarsus, o’9. 
Adult Female. — Like the male in colour, but smaller. Total 
length, 6-5 inches ; wing, 3-8. 
Range in Great Britain. — Although comparatively common on 
the Continent, the Crested Lark can only be considered a rare 
