354 THE SKY-LARK. 



A LARGE number of Sparrows inhabit the North American continent. Allied to these 

 are certain Finches and Buntings. Besides those already enumerated, there are forty-six 

 distinct species. Among them the CHIPPING SPARROW (Spizella domestica) is an interesting 

 and very familiar species. It is a migrating bird ; spending his summer in the north, and 

 sojourning in the south during the winter season. 



The Tree Sparrow, Field Sparrow and Song Sparrow are also familiar and welcome visitors 

 in the summer season. Wilson says of the latter : " Of all our Sparrows, this is the most 

 numerous, the most generally diffused over the United States, and by far the earliest, sweetest, 

 and most lasting songster. It is only partially migratory, some staying in the north during 

 winters, in secluded places. It is the first singing-bird in spring, taking precedence even of 

 the Pewee and Blue-bird. Its song continues occasionally through the entire summer and fall, 

 and is sometimes heard even in the depth of winter. The notes or chant are very sweet, but 

 short, resembling the beginning of a canary's song, and frequently repeated, generally from 

 the branches of a bush or small tree, where it sits chanting for an hour or more. 



THE LARKS. 



THE Larks may be readily recognized by the very great length of the claw of the hind toe, 

 the short and conical bill, and the great length of the tertiary quill-feathers of the wing, which 

 are often as long as the primaries. 



The first example of these birds is the well-known SKY-LARK, so deservedly famous for its 

 song and its aspiring character. 



This most interesting bird is a native of Europe, and has cheered many a sad heart by its 

 blithe jubilant notes as it wings skyward on strong pinions, or flutters between cloud and earth, 

 pouring out its very soul in its rich wild melody. Early in the spring the Lark begins its song, 

 and continues its musical effort for nearly eight months, so that on almost every warm day of 

 the year on which a country walk is practicable the Sky-lark's happy notes may be heard ring- 

 ing throughout the air, long after the bird which utters them has dwindled to a mere speck, 

 hardly distinguishable from a midge floating in the sunbeams. 



The natural impulse of the bird to hurl himself aloft while singing is so powerful, that 

 when kept in confinement it flings itself against the top of the cage, and would damage itself 

 severely were not a piece of green baize strained tightly as a roof, so as to take away the shock 

 of the upward spring. In a state of nature, the Sky-lark sometimes sings while on the ground, 

 and has been seen to sit on the top of a post, and from that point of vantage to pour forth its 

 light sparkling melody. 



Although it is by no means a familiar bird, nor does it seek the society of human beings, 

 it is marvellously indifferent to their presence, and exhibits no discomposure at the close 

 vicinity of the laborer, springing from the ground close to his feet, and singing merrily as it 

 passes by his face. When pi-essed by danger, it has even been known to place -itself under 

 human protection. A gentleman was once riding along a road, wli^n a Sky-lark suddenly- 

 dropped on the pummel of his saddle, where it lay with outspread wings, as if wounded to 

 death. When the rider tried to take it up, it shifted round the horse, and finally dropped 

 under the legs of the horse, where it lay cowering, evidently smitten with terror. On looking 

 up, the rider saw a hawk hovering above, evidently waiting to make its swoop, as soon as the 

 Lark left her place of refuge. The Lark presently remounted the saddle, and taking advantage 

 of a moment when the hawk shifted its position, sprang from the saddle, and shot into the 

 hedge, where it was safe. 



The following curious instance of a Lark's intelligence I had from the lady who was an 

 eye-witness of the scene. 



A pair of Larks had built their nest in a grass field, where they hatched a brood of young. 

 Very soon after the young birds were out of the eggs, the owner of the field was forced to set 

 the mowers to work, the state of the weather forcing him to cut his grass sooner than usual. 

 As the laborers approached the nest, the parent birds seemed to take alarm, and at last the 



