AVES— SKYLARK. 



523 



ORDER I V. — GR ANI VOR OU S BIRDS. 



Birds of this order have the bill more or less conical, short, and strong; 

 ridge more or less flattened, advancing upon the forehead ; mandibles 

 generally without notches ; three toes before and one behind, the anterior 

 ones entirely divided ; wings of medium length. 



THE SKYLARK' 



Is one of the most esteemed of the European song birds. It is found 

 throughout the whole of Europe, many parts of Asia, and the north of 

 Africa. Its song is begun early in the spring, and continued during the 

 greater part of summer. It rises perpendicularly in a spiral flight, singing as 

 it rises, till it frequently soars beyond the reach of vision. On the approach 

 of winter, the larks begin to collect in immense flocks, quitting the more 

 elevated parts of the country, and resorting to the coasts ; at this period they 

 are fat, and vast numbers are taken for the table. The lark is six inches in 

 length ; its color is reddish, with the under parts yellowish white. 



The lark builds its nest upon the ground, beneath some turf, that serves 

 to hide and shelter it. The female lays four or five eggs, of a dusky hue, in 

 color somewhat like those of a plover. It is while she is sitting, that the 

 male usually entertains her with his singing; and while he is risen to an 

 imperceptible height, yet he still has his loved partner in his eye, nor once 

 loses sight of the nest, either while he ascends or is descending. This 



1 Alauda arvensis, Lin. The genus Alauda has the bill suhconic, short, with the 

 mandibles of equal length, and the upper one slightly convex ; nostrils basal, lateral, 

 partly concealed by reflected feathers ; claw of the hind toe much produced, and nearly 

 straight ; wings with the first quill short or wanting, the third the longest ; coronal feath- 

 ers generaLy produced. 



