130 THE SKY-LARK. 



ground by the side of a tuft of grass, or a turf, in which will be found 

 from three to five eggs. White and dun-coloured varieties of this species of 

 Lark are frequently met with. 



Notwithstanding all the casualties to which the eggs of this, and other 

 ground-nesting birds are exposed, as also the adult birds of this species, their 

 numbers do not diminish to any extent. It is not only in England that 

 the Sky-lark is destroyed for the sake of its flesh, to satisfy the gormandizing 

 epicure, but all over the European continent. We are informed that in Germany 

 they are made the source of national revenue, being subject to an excise 

 duty; and on the plains by which Rome is encompassed on the east and 

 south, vast flocks of Sky-larks assemble in autumn; and it is the custom of 

 the gentlemen, and the ladies, too ! of the eternal city, to go forth to enjoy the 

 sport of Lark-shooting! The destruction of these birds is to a certain 

 extent just and necessary, for the protection of wheat, barley, oats, peas, and 

 vetch crops, on all of which they commit sad havoc, just as the young grain 

 is peeping through the surface of the soil, and any naturalist may easily con- 

 vince himself of the fact in a corn county, by the use of a telescope and dissection, 

 or by a walk across a field of spring-sown corn etc., he will there find heaps of 

 the husks of the grain in question, and flocks of Sky-larks arising from their 

 plunder at his approach. Let it be here understood, that I am not signing 

 their death warrant, on the contrary, I am fully aware of the many and 

 important services rendered to the husbandman by these interesting little warblers 

 who sing 



"Their songs of welcome to the gladsome spring," 



in the destruction of countless thousands of his insect enemies; and to those 

 who are, and may be inclined to act on the defensive side of the question, 

 let them pause and read the poet Thomson's humane appeal in behalf of 

 birds in general: — 



"Oh! let not, aim'd from some inhuman eye, 

 Th€ gun, the music of the coming year 

 Destroy; and harmless, unsuspecting harm. 

 Lay the weak tribes, a miserable prey. 

 In mingled murder, fluttering on the ground." 



It is the duty of the naturalist to point out, without favour or prejudice, 

 the good and the bad qualities of the animals he attempts to describe, for 

 the benefit of the cultivators of the soil, who are in general, but indifierent 

 observers of the wonderful and beautiful works of the Great Almighty, so 

 that they may be enabled to distinguish their enemies from their friends, and 

 not, as we too often see them, dealing death and destruction around them : they 

 should bear in mind, — 



"That all things have an equal right to Uve." 



1 will add one more note with respect to the gay and cheerful Sky-lark, 



