Crested Lark
Galerida cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) (11, 1)
Photo © Kris Webb
STATUS
Southern Palearctic and Afrotropic. Polytypic.
OVERVIEW
This first for Britain is without the year and month, although Yarrell’s 1st edition occurred in 1837-43 we can assume the year to be between 1837-45 or c. 1844.
In the BOUs (1971) Status book it states that there was one record prior to 1845, nine between 1846-81, then five between 1947-65 of which two are in the period covered.
RECORDS
1). Pre 1845 Sussex Littlehampton, killed, undated.
(Yarrell, 1845; Yarrell, 1871-85; J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1889: 415; Borrer, 1891; Witherby, 1920-24).
History Yarrell (1845 (1): 456, 2nd ed.) says: 'Since the publication of this notice [1836 Dublin] a specimen has been killed in Sussex, and by the kindness of the gentleman who now possesses it, I am enabled to give a figure and description from this example.'
Further, p. 458, is the description: 'The beak of the Crested Lark is thicker, stronger, and more curved than that of the Sky Lark, brown along the ridge and at the point, but paler on the sides and at the base; the crown of the head reddish brown, with a few feathers elongated, forming a crest and pointing backwards; irides hazel; from the eye passing over the ear-coverts a streak of buffy white; ear-coverts and back of the neck dark brown; back, wing-coverts and wings brown, the shaft and central portion of each feather dark brown; the wing-coverts and tertials edged with buffy white; the two middle tail-feathers nearly uniform light brown; the outer tail-feather on each side light brown, with a buffy-white outer margin; the other tail-feathers dark brown. The chin white; neck in front, breast and under parts pale yellow brown; the breast and flanks streaked with darker brown; legs, toes, and claws, pale brown. The whole length of the bird six inches and three-quarters; length of wing from the anterior bend to the end of the second quill-feather, which is the longest, four inches and one-eighth; length of beak along the ridge seven lines; the tarsus one inch; the hind toe and claw nine lines.'
Alfred Newton (1871-74 (1): 633, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, adds: 'The first British-killed specimen about which no doubt can exist is one in Mr. Bond's collection, and from it, by his kindness, the figure here given was taken. It was procured at Littlehampton, and its occurrence was made known in the second edition of this work, published in 1845.'
J. E. Harting (1889) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIII. p. 415, on Frederick Bond's bird collection, says: 'In Case 122 is the first recorded English specimen of the Crested Lark, Alauda cristata, procured at Littlehampton, Sussex, and figured by Yarrell (Vol. II. p. 177).'
Locally, Borrer (1891: 112) says: 'The first appearance in Sussex is that of an example in the late Mr. Bond's collection, which was procured at Littlehampton, and from which the figure in Yarrell's British Birds was taken; it is now in the possession of Mr. Whitaker, of Rainworth Lodge, Notts.'
Comment Whitaker lived at Rainworth Lodge, Nottinghamshire, and his collection is now housed at Mansfield Museum.
2). 1846 Cornwall Marazion Marsh, two, males, both shot, 9th September, G. c. cristata.
(E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1846: 1497; E. H. Rodd, Transactions of the Penzance Natural History Society 1: 88-89; Newman, 1866; E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1870: 2233; Harting, 1880; Witherby, 1920-24; Witherby et al., 1940-52; Penhallurick, 1978).
History E. H. Rodd of Penzance (1846) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. IV. p. 1497, dated 19th September, 1846, says: 'Two examples of this bird have come to my notice during the present month; thus forming another addition to our Cornish Fauna. They were shot by Mr. Vingoe, of this place [Penzance], who detected them on a stone wall on the road side, between Marazion and this place. His attention was directed to these birds by the melodious quality of their notes, resembling more in character the flute-like tones of the Woodlark than the buoyant song of the Skylark. The crest in both specimens is very well developed, and the form of the beak, and the comparative shortness of the hind-claw, as compared with our larks, are remarkable characters. Both specimens now under notice are male birds.'
E. H. Rodd (1846) in the Transactions of the Penzance Natural History Society, 1st series, Vol. I. pp. 88-89, says: 'The society is indebted for the discovery of this bird in Cornwall to Mr. W. H. Vingoe, who detected the two now before the society upon a hedge on Marazion Green, where they were shot on the 9th Sept., 1845. His attention was directed to them by the melodious quality of their notes, - resembling more in expression the flute-like tones of the Woodlark than the well-known song of our Skylark. The form and length of the beak, the shortness of the hind claw, the extended crest on the head, and the yellowish-brown colour of the hinder parts, distinguish it from our common species.'
Harting, Editor (1880: 50) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, adds: 'In September two specimens were shot. Further, pp. 201-202, Rodd talking of the 1850 specimen adds: 'Two examples had occurred before, on Marazion Green.'
Penhallurick (1978: 173) adds: 'The second authenticated British occurrence concerned two males at Marazion Green, just west of the village, on 9 September (Zoologist). One went into Rodd's collection, the other was acquired by J. H. Gurney jun., and found to belong to the nominate race.'
4). 1850 Cornwall Marazion Marsh, shot, 24th October.
(E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1851: 3033; Newman, 1866; E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1870: 2233; Harting, 1880; Penhallurick, 1978).
History E. H. Rodd of Penzance (1851) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. IX. p. 3033, dated 25th October, 1850, says: 'I was informed yesterday of the capture of another example of this rare lark in this neighbourhood, which is the third instance of its occurrence in the county. I examined the bird after its was mounted by Mr. Vingoe, and it corresponded with the two individuals which I reported to you some time since as having been captured between this place and Marazion.'
E. H. Rodd of Penzance (1870) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. V. p. 2233, says: '...Another specimen was observed and subsequently secured in the latter part of October, 1860.'
Harting, Editor (1880: 50) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'In October 1850 a third example [for Cornwall] was procured near Penzance. I examined this bird after it had been preserved, and found it to agree in almost every aspect with the two obtained in 1846.'
Further, pp. 201-202, under 'Annual Summaries' read to the Royal Institution of Cornwall in 1851, Rodd adds: 'Two examples had occurred before on Marazion Green; and the specimen now referred to was shot in the same locality, by J. N. R. Millet, Esq., of this place.'
Comment In The Zoologist 1870 p. 2233 it erroneously states 1860 instead of 1850.
5). 1863 Sussex Shoreham-by-Sea, caught, 20th October, now at Booth Museum, Brighton (BoMNH 208073).
(G. D. Rowley, Ibis 6: 224; Borrer, 1891; Witherby, 1920-24; Walpole-Bond, 1938; Shrubb, 1979; James, 1996).
History George Dawson Rowley (1864) in The Ibis, Vol. VI. p. 224, in a Letter, says: 'A Crested Lark was also brought in by a bird-catcher, from near Shoreham, alive, 20th October, as I saw it the same day. If Mr. Morris's Sussex example counts as the second (though no particulars have been given), this would be the third time of its appearance in this country. I have reason to believe there have been more passing over this autumn.'
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (1): 183) and by Borrer (1891: 112) who adds: '...This example is now in the collection of Mr. Monk.'
6). 1865 Cornwall Budock Bottoms, Falmouth, shot, December.
(Bullmore, 1867; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1880; Penhallurick, 1978).
History Bullmore (1867: 20) says: 'A third was killed [for Cornwall] by Mr. Gill of this place nine months since, at Budock Bottoms, immediately behind Mr. Bone's public house.'
Harting, Editor (1880) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'In December 1865, as recorded by Dr. Bullmore in his Cornish Fauna (p. 20), one was shot at Budock Bottoms by Mr. Gill of Falmouth, who had it preserved.'
Penhallurick (1978: 173) adds: '...shot behind Mr. Bone's public house at Budock Bottoms.'
Comment There were two birds (one record) in 1846 and another in 1850, making this the fourth individual.
7). 1879 Kent Dover Cliffs, caught, 22nd April.
(Ticehurst, 1909; Witherby, 1920-24; Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1981).
History Ticehurst (1909: 216) says: 'The second record is one given by Dowker, on the authority of Gordon, of a specimen obtained at Rainham, and though erroneous in detail this record probably applies to the bird in the Prentis collection at Rochester, and is the only one that can be relied on. The bird itself I have seen, and on examining Prentis' MS. catalogue, I find that it was netted on Dover Cliffs by Chatwin, the Dover birdcatcher, on the 22nd of April, 1879. Prentis purchased it alive from him through Gordon, and kept it in a cage for about a year, when it died and was stuffed by Gordon for his collection.'
8). 1880 Cornwall Polbrean, The Lizard, female, shot, 12th June.
(H. P. Hart, Zoologist 1880: 302; Witherby, 1920-24; Penhallurick, 1978).
History Herbert P. Hart of Polbrean, The Lizard (1880) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. IV. p. 302, says: 'On June 12th I shot a Crested Lark, Alauda cristata, in our garden, and have sent it to Mr. Vingoe, our Cornish naturalist, to be set up. He has advised me to send you this notice. He says the bird is a female, as he found eggs in the ovary.'
[This makes the fifth instance in which the Crested Lark has been met with in Cornwall. Particulars of previous captures will be found in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall and the Scilly Isles, p. 50. - Ed.]
9). 1881 Sussex Portslade-by-Sea, adult male, caught, 10th October, now at Booth Museum, Brighton (BoMNH 208072).
(T. Parkin, Zoologist 1881: 492; W. Borrer, Zoologist 1881: 494; Borrer, 1891; Booth, 1901; Walpole-Bond, 1938; Shrubb, 1979; James, 1996).
History T. Parkin of Halton, Hastings (1881) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. V. p. 492, says: '...Mr. Pratt, who also received a few days afterwards [October 15th] a fine specimen of the Crested Lark, Alauda cristata, [recorded by Mr. Borrer, p. 494].'
William Borrer of Cowfold (1881) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. V. p. 494, says: 'On the 10th of October a specimen of this bird was caught by a Brighton birdcatcher, at Portslade, a few miles to the west of that town, and taken to Messrs. Pratt, the birdstuffers, where I saw it in the flesh the next day. It is in very perfect plumage, and proved on dissection to be an adult male. It is now in my collection, and as I believe only five specimens are recorded as having occurred in this country, I have thought it worthy of notice.'
[Seven instances of the occurrences of the Crested Lark in England and Ireland are recorded in the Handbook of British Birds (p. 110), and we are informed by the Rev. Murray A. Mathew that a bird of this species, shot on Braunton Burrows, N. Devon, about the autumn of 1855, is preserved at Tapley Park. - Ed.]
Booth (1901: 214, 3rd ed.) says: 'An adult male, taken by a bird-catcher near Portslade, Sussex, October 10th, 1881. (Birds of Sussex, p. 112).'
Accepted locally (Borrer 1891: 112) and by Walpole-Bond (1938 (1): 183) who was mystified by the record not being recorded in Saunders (1899, 2nd ed.).
James (1996: 382) adds: 'Portslade-by-Sea ... now in the Booth Museum, Brighton (BoMNH 208072).'
Comment Perhaps Saunders knew that Parkin was heavily involved in the "Hastings Rarities fraud".
10). 1947 Greater London/Surrey River Thames, between Hammersmith Bridge and Chiswick Eyot, Middlesex, two, seen, 8th March.
(C. B. Ashby, London Bird Report 1947: 6; M. Curtis, British Birds 41: 345; London Natural History Society, 1957; Parr, 1972; Wheatley, 2007).
History Monica Curtis (1948) in British Birds, Vol. XLI. p. 345, says: 'On March 8th, 1947, during the cold spell, I observed a pair of Crested Larks (Alauda cristata) feeding on the mud and gravel exposed at low tide on the bank of the Thames between Hammersmith Bridge and Chiswick Eyot. I watched them for ten minutes or a quarter of an hour from the tow-path through a pair of very good Zeiss glasses, x 7. They were not shy. They were rather smaller than Skylarks; colour streaked brown, no white on the tail; legs flesh-coloured; a very noticeable crest, darker than the rest of the plumage, almost blackish-brown. The crest was sometimes raised and sometimes lowered, but in either case it projected definitely behind the line of the head, forming an angle with it. I verified this by moving about until I got the crest silhouetted against the water. One bird had a longer crest than the other. I did not see them in flight, neither did they utter their call-note.
I am familiar with this species on the Continent, where I have frequently seen them. I had, however, forgotten that the colour of the legs differs from the yellowish-brown of the Skylark and also the fact that the hen bird has a shorter crest than the cock. In these two respects, therefore, I was not seeing what I expected to see.'
Wheatley (2007: 400) says: 'In the original reference in the London Bird Report it is stated as being in Surrey.
1950-57 RECORD
12). 1952 Fair Isle Near Chapel, 2nd November.
(K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report 1952: 6; K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 1 (9): 29; K. Williamson, British Birds 46: 211; K. Williamson, British Birds 46: 423; E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 67: 99; Thom, 1986; Dymond, 1991).
History K. Williamson (1953) in British Birds, Vol. XLVI. p. 211, says: 'November 2nd. James A. Stout watched an unusual lark which he disturbed from the grassy brae below the Chapel and followed into a stubble-field. He described it as a pale, almost sandy bird, practically unstreaked in comparison with the Skylarks feeding in the same area, and remarkably "long-headed" - an effect due to the length of its crest when depressed. After getting several close views of the bird through binoculars, both on the ground and in flight, he was confident that it was a Crested Lark.
One character which he noted, and which we later confirmed from a skin, is that when the bird rose the short tail appeared more variegated than a Skylark's, showing a three-colour pattern - the central tail-feathers dark brown and matching the wing-feathers, the others very blackish with the exception of the outer-most pair, which were buff. He considers that this contrasting tail-pattern may be a useful point if a close view of the rising bird is obtained. The bird had a clear whistling call-note. There appears to be no previous record of a Crested Lark for Scotland.'
NOT PROVEN
0). c. 1851 Devon Braunton Burrows, shot, autumn, now at Tapley Park.
(J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1881: 494; D'Urban & Mathew, 1892; D'Urban, 1906).
[Moore, 1969].
History J. E. Harting, Editor (1881) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. V. p. 494, says: 'Seven instances of the occurrences of the Crested Lark in England and Ireland are recorded in the Handbook of British Birds (p. 110), and we are informed by the Rev. Murray A. Mathew that a bird of this species, shot on Braunton Burrows, N. Devon, about the autumn of 1855, is preserved at Tapley Park.'
D'Urban & Mathew (1892: 102) say: 'A specimen of the Crested Lark, shot on the Braunton Burrows about the year 1851, was in the collection of Mr. Cloyland [sic], of Tapley Park, near Bideford. A granite pillar, standing in Tapley Park above the Torridge, commemorates the young officer, who fell in the cavalry charge at Balaclava.'
W. S. M. D'Urban (1906 (1): 309) in the Victoria County History of Devon, says: 'The only specimen of this continental species that has been obtained in Devonshire was shot about the year 1851, on Braunton Burrows, by the late Mr. Clevland of Tapley Park near Bideford.'
Not accepted locally (Moore 1969).
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not acceptable.
0). 1852 Devon Slapton Ley, pair, seen, July.
(D'Urban & Mathew, 1892).
[Moore, 1969].
History D'Urban & Mathew (1892: 102) say: 'Lord Lilford has informed us that in the month of July 1852 he repeatedly saw a pair of Crested Larks close to the Sands Hotel at Slapton Ley. He then took them for Wood Larks, but adds that directly he became acquainted with the Crested Lark in Spain he recognised the note and several habits of the bird whose acquaintance he had made in South Devon. The pair seen at Slapton frequented the road which runs along the shingle-beach between the Ley and the sea.'
Not accepted locally (Moore 1969).
Comment No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.
0). 1854 Sussex Near Hasting, two: male and another, obtained, September, both now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1924Z18.3809 (male) & 3810).
(Watson, 2010).
[KAN].
History Watson (2010) in detailing the R. W. Chase collection in the Birmingham Museum lists this specimen and quoting from his Notebooks adds that they were ex H. Collin's collection of Aldsworth House, Hants.
Comment I suspect these to be early Hastings Rarities. Unrecorded in the day. Not acceptable.
0). 1867 Greater London/Kent Near Blackheath, seen, 1st June.
(M. Hutchinson, Zoologist 1868: 1166-1167).
[Yarrell, 1871-74; Ticehurst, 1909].
History Matthew Hutchinson (1868) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. III. p. 1167, under 'Birds on Blackheath', says: 'Seeing a lark basking in the sun, and dusting himself in the farm road by Wellhall, I turned the glass on him and saw for the first time a Crested Lark.'
Alfred Newton (1871-74 (1): 633, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'A "crested lark" is also said to have been seen near Blackheath, 1st June, 1867 (Zool., s.s. p. 1167), by Mr. Hutchinson.'
Not accepted by Ticehurst (1909) in The Birds of Kent, who thinks it was misidentified.
Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.
0). 1873 Cheshire & Wirral Macclesfield, obtained, undated.
(J. D. Sainter, Nature, 18th Dec., 1873 (9): 132).
[Yarrell, 1871-74; Coward & Oldham, 1900].
History Alfred Newton (1871-74 (1): 633, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, in a footnote, says: 'The occurrence of one at Macclesfield is also mentioned in Nature for 18th December, 1873 (IV. p. 132).'
Coward & Oldham (1900: 106) say: 'A Crested Lark is stated to have been obtained near Macclesfield Grammar School in 1873. Dr. J. D. Sainter, who recorded the occurrence, adduced no evidence whatever to substantiate his identification; and as the bird cannot now be traced, we think it inadvisable to include this species in a Cheshire avifauna.'
Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. No identification details. Not acceptable.
0). 1875 Isle of Wight St Helen's, killed, winter.
(H. Hadfield, Zoologist 1877: 343; H. Hadfield, Zoologist 1877: 450-451).
[Kelsall & Munn, 1905].
History Henry Hadfield of Ventnor, Isle of Wight (1877) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. I. p. 343, says: 'Mr. Careless has had the following birds brought him in the flesh, all killed in the island: - ...Crested Lark.'
[We should like to know something more about the Crested Lark. When, where, and by whom shot, and by whom identified? We have seen many a Sky Lark with a good crest fondly regarded by its owner as a veritable Crested Lark. - Ed.]
Henry Hadfield of Ventnor, Wight (1877) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. I. pp. 450-451, replies: 'In reply to the editorial queries (p. 343) as to when, where, and by whom this lark was shot, and by whom identified, I am now able to state that it was killed the winter before last, in a field on the Priory Farm, St. Helens, by a man named Mark Orchard.
As to the species, Mr. Careless was aware of it before I took it up, inquiring how it had been procured. That a Sky Lark with a good crest has been taken for a veritable Crested Lark I can readily believe, seeing how unobservant most people are; but no ornithologist could mistake it: besides the Crested Lark is a somewhat smaller bird - Temminck says half an inch shorter than the Sky Lark: this tallies with my observations, as recorded in The Zoologist, (1874, p. 3946).
It being a common, though not numerous, species in the north of France, the wonder is that so few cross the Channel.' A writer quoted by Yarrell says, "I am convinced I have frequently met them in the furrows and meadows of Dublin". Yarrell, apparently, was convinced too....With regard to the Greater Crested Lark I can say nothing, never having met with it. The Crested Larks seen in Brittany were decidedly smaller than the Sky Lark; so is this bird.'
Kelsall & Munn (1905: 97) placing the record in square brackets, say: '...we do not consider the evidence sufficient.'
Comment Lacks adequate details. Not acceptable.
0). 1879 Sussex Worthing, adult male, shot, spring.
(Millais, 1905; Witherby et al., 1940-52; Walpole-Bond, 1938; Shrubb, 1979).
[A. H. J. Harrop, British Birds 112: 89-98].
History J. G. Millais (1905 (1): 282-283) in the Victoria County History of Sussex, says: 'A rare autumn visitor which has occurred three times within the county (Borrer). Besides these examples, I have in my collection a fine adult male which was shot near Worthing. This I procured from Mr. Swaysland in the spring of 1879, and the feet of the bird were quite soft and pliant, showing that, as he stated, it had just been taken. It is curious that this lark does not come to us more frequently. I have seen many in summer in the north of Normandy, where the species is common.'
Not mentioned by Borrer (1891: 111-112) but accepted locally later (Walpole-Bond 1938 (1): 183).
Comment Another Swaysland record lacking in a precise date and not published until 26 years later. He has been discredited (A. H. J. Harrop, British Birds 112: 89-98). Not acceptable.
0). 1881 Cambridgeshire Ibiston, caught alive at nest, undated.
(J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1883: 178).
[Lack, 1934; BOU, 1971].
History J. E. Harting, Editor (1883) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VII. p. 178, says: 'In the course of correspondence with Mr. Doggett, taxidermist, of Cambridge, who received in the flesh for preservation the specimen of the Short-toed Lark which was captured by a birdcatcher near Cambridge in November last, as already recorded (p. 33), he informed me that he then had in his possession alive an example of Alauda cristata which had been taken more than two years previously from a nest at Ibiston [Histon ?], near Cambridge. Some half-dozen instances of the occurrence of this bird in the British Islands have been noted since 1836, when one was obtained in Ireland; but no instance of its breeding here has hitherto been recorded, although the fact of its occasionally doing so may well have been overlooked from its similarity to the commoner arvensis.'
Not accepted locally (Lack 1934).
Comment Not admitted nationally (BOU 1971). Not acceptable.
0). 1885 Fife Isle of May, two: 11th March and April.
(J. A. Harvie Brown, J. Cordeaux & W. E. Clarke, Migration Report 7: 27).
[BOU, 1971].
History J. A. Harvie Brown, J. Cordeaux & W. E. Clarke (1886) in the Report on the Migration of Birds in the Spring and Autumn of 1885, 7th report, p. 27, say: 'In April "Crested Larks" are entered, and a previous entry of the same is given on March 11th, both from XXVII. (Isle of May). We would like to have examined these, and added the real Crested Lark to the Isle of May Museum. Not many records in April.'
Comment Not admitted nationally (BOU 1971). Not acceptable.
0). 1895 Kent Romney Marsh, pair, seen, 7th June.
(C. A. Briggs, Zoologist 1895: 451-452).
[Eds., Zoologist 1895: 451-452; Ticehurst, 1909; BOU, 1971].
History C. A. Briggs of Lincoln's Inns Fields (1895) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIX. pp. 451-452, says: 'Among the oological discoveries this year none is perhaps likely to evoke more interest than the egg of the Crested Lark (Alauda cristata), taken in Romney Marsh on June 7th, and subsequently purchased by at Steven's Auction Rooms.
The recorded evidence of the breeding of this bird in England having hitherto been confined to one alleged instance, near Cambridge in 1881 (Zool., 1883, p. 178), ornithologists will doubtless be glad to hear of a well-authenticated case, the parent birds having been seen by Mr. Sydney Webb, as well as by Mr. George Gray, a well-known naturalist at Dover, I quote from a letter addressed to Mr. Stevens by Mr. Webb on Mr. Gray's behalf, and sold with the egg: - "Mr. Gray, of this town (Dover), who is an ornithologist and taxidermist, having been informed by some lads who had been watching birds for him that they had discovered a nest of eggs which they did not know, we were led to the spot, but only to find one young bird hatched out, one broken egg, and one addled; the latter you now have. Scarcely had the egg passed from hand to hand when one of the boys called out, "There's the old one; look at his top-knot! And sure enough we saw a living Crested Lark close to us. There could be no mistaking the long crest reclining backwards, Crane-like, quite unlike an ordinary Lark's raised crest".
It is curious also that the birds made a second nest, from which another egg was obtained early in August. This also passed into my hands".'
[The common Skylark so frequently exhibits a well-developed crest that we should not rely upon this point only to convince that the bird whose nest was found in Romney Marsh was Alauda cristata. It is a pity that Mr. Gray did not carry his observation a little further, and note some other distinguishing characters of the rarer species. The large bastard primary he could not have seen, but he might have noticed the orange-tawny colour of the under surface of the wing and the absence of white from the tail feathers. - Ed.]
Not accepted locally (Ticehurst 1909: 217-218).
Comment Not fully identified. Not admitted nationally (BOU 1971). Not acceptable.
0). 1901 Kent No locality, nine, released, 24th August.
(F. Finn, Zoologist 1901: 353).
[F. Finn, Zoologist 1901: 353].
History Frank Finn of the Zoological Society (1901) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. V. p. 353, says: 'Having recently obtained from India a consignment of the Crested Lark (Galerita cristata), I liberated nine specimens - a few having died - in Kent on Aug. 24th, letting them out from the train at various points. Most of them went off strongly, but they are rather rough in feather, though in good condition of flesh.'
0). Pre 1914 Lincolnshire Normanby-le-Wold, seen, undated.
(E. A. Woodruffe-Peacock, Transactions of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union 3: 212).
[Lorand & Atkin, 1989].
History E. A. Woodruffe-Peacock (1914) in the Transactions of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union, Vol. III. p. 212, says: 'I do not remember whether this rare species has ever been recorded for North Lincolnshire. My sister Mabel saw it once, I believe, and I myself on another occasion have no doubt I did. It is curious, but in both cases it was on roads, on an incline, on the highest ground of the neighbourhood. In my sister’s case it was just above the hill south of the beck, not far from Messingham mill, on the road to Bottesford. I saw my pair in Normanby-le-Wold parish, just below the highest ground in this county.
Three things struck me at once. Firstly, the shortness of its tail; and secondly, the thickness of its body in proportion to its entire length, when compared with the Skylark (A. arvensis, L.). Thirdly, the curious projection of its crest when flat behind the head. In this characteristic it reminded me of the Waxwing (Ampelis garrulus, L.). The Skylark is distinctly crested in the male, and it often has its crest up. The Woodlark (A. arborea, L.), is more slightly crested. In both the male and female of the birds I saw and watched, the crest was always clearly visible. These birds were larger than the Woodlarks I have seen, though shorter than the Skylark, and thicker in proportion to its length. In both cases the birds were observed in the early summer.'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.
0). 1936 Shetland Skaw, Whalsay, shot, 25 March.
(Venables & Venables, 1955).
[Venables & Venables, 1955].
History Venables & Venables (1955) list the following in square brackets: - Bruce and Grierson (1899 et seq.) say that a Crested Lark was shot at Skaw, Whalsay, on 25th March 1936 but give no further details.
0). 1946 Suffolk No locality, one (possibly four), seen, 16th May.
(Lowestoft and North Suffolk Field Naturalists' Club 1946-47; Eds., British Birds 41: 95).
[BOU, 1971].
History In an Editorial (1948) in British Birds, Vol. XLI. p. 95, in a Review of the Lowestoft and North Suffolk Field Naturalists' Club 1st Report (1st Mar. 1946 to 28th Feb. 1947), they say: 'A record of at least one and probably four Crested Larks seen on May 16th is well and carefully authenticated; the locality is not given.'
Not admitted nationally (BOU 1971).
0). 1947 Yorkshire Spurn, seen, 11th April.
(R. Chislett, Naturalist 73: 57).
[R. Chislett, Naturalist 73: 57; Eds., British Birds 43: 62; Chislett, 1952].
History R. Chislett (1948) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXXIII. p. 57, recording the record in square brackets, says: 'H. G. Brownlow, from his experience with the species in Germany, had no hesitation about this bird at Spurn on April 11th. "It was definitely larger than a Skylark, had an obvious crest, and had the broad-shouldered, tapering to tail, angular look of the Crested Lark. I could see no white on the outer tail feathers".'
In an Editorial (1950) in British Birds, Vol. XLIII. p. 62, in a Review of the above, they say: 'There are a number of interesting records of more or less rare species elsewhere. Of these might be mentioned, in 1947: A record of a Crested Lark at Spurn on April 11th is perhaps rightly square-bracketed, though probably correct.'
Chislett (1952: 63) placing the record in square brackets, says: 'H. G. Brownlow, after some experience of the species in Germany, was convinced that on 11th April 1947 he saw this species at Spurn. He saw no white in the outer tail-feathers, but it had an obvious crest, and other characters he had familiarized himself with abroad.'
