absence from that country is, as Mr. Newton remarks in the ‘ Ibis' for 1865, “ a very remarkable fact—far
more so even than its non-appearance on the north side of the Straits of Dover, while it is so plentiful
between Calais and Boulogne.” Lieut. Sperling says, “ this is the Lark of the Mediterranean, as far as my
experience goes. It frequents the dry plains; and from the stunted plants and bushes, where it often sits,
its cry of cheep-cheep-cheep is constantly to be h e a r d y e t Mr. Wright, who had given it a place in his “ List
of the Birds observed in Malta and Gozo” (‘ Ibis,’ 1864, p. 60), remarks subsequently ( ‘ Ibis,’ 1865, p. 464),
“ I should have given Schembri as my authority for so doing; for all my endeavours to find it during many
years’ observation have proved unavailing. Year after year I have examined hundreds of Skylarks brought
for sale to the market, in the hope of detecting a Crested Lark amongst them, but invariably with a negative
result. Another writer on the natural history of Malta says it is common in spring and autumn; but he
must have been mistaken. The bird-dealers, to whom I have shown preserved skins, and offered rewards
should they bring me a Crested Lark captured here, all agree in declaring that they have never met with it.
From this I conclude it is not a regular migrant across the Mediterranean; for, abundantly spread as it is,
both on the southern shores of Europe and the northern shores of Africa, we should often observe it in
Malta were its habits migratory.” Bailly remarks that it is always rare in Savoy.
Its habits, actions, and general economy somewhat resemble those of the common Skylark, but in disposition
it is even more tame and confiding than that species. I have myself seen it, not only on the roadsides
of many parts of the continent, but in the gardens and even at the doorsteps of the houses. Its note
is loud and cheerful, but not so swelling and continued as that of our charming Skylark. Both sexes have
the crest; still the female has not this character so plainly developed as the male, neither is she so large in
size. A striking difference exists between the present bird and the Alauda arcensis, the colouring of the
under surface of the wings of the former being richer and having a vinous gloss, as shown in the accompanying
Plate. Of its nidification I have no information to offer from my own observation. Vieillot states
that the female makes a nest on the ground in cultivated fields, very like that of the Skylark, and lays four
or five eggs, of a light ash-colour, spotted with light and dark brown.
Crown of the head and all the upper surface reddish brown with dark-brown centres, a few of the feathers
of the head elongated, forming a backward-pointing crest; wing-coverts and wings brown, washed on their
outer webs with light brown, and with dark-brown shafts—the former tipped with buffy white; two central
tail-feathers nearly uniform light brown; the two lateral feathers on each side dark brown, the outer one
broadly, and the next narrowly edged on the external margin with fawn-colour; the remaining tail-feathers
dark brown ; from the eye, passing over the ear-coverts, a streak of buffy white; ear-coverts dark brown ;
chin white; neck, breast, and under surface pale yellow brown, the breast and flanks streaked with dark
brown; the bill, which is thicker, stronger, and more curved than that of the Skylark, is brown, becoming
paler at the base; legs, toes, and claws pale brown; ¡rides hazel.
The Plate represents the two sexes, of the natural size.