ALAUDID.E — THE LARKS. 137 



According to Messrs. Dresser and Sharpe, the Skylai-k is lound tliroughoiit 

 the jiolar Arctic regions, from the Britisli Islands eastward to Siberia and 

 Xortiiern China. A smaller subspecies is met with in Southeastern Eu- 

 rope, wliich does not present any eliaracter by which it can be separated 

 from it. In Eastern P^urope the Larlc has been found as I'ar nortli as the 

 Faroe Islands, but has not been observed in Iceland. It reaches C'hristiania 

 in March, and leaves in October. It has been found breeding in Lapland as 

 far north as latitude 65°, and is a common summer visitant in Finland. 

 Pallas found it abundant throughout Eussia and Siberia, and Stellar found 

 it not only in Kamtsehatka, but equally in the Kurile Islands and in those 

 between Asia and America, .so that its occurrence in our Alaskan territories 

 may be regarded as a not improbable event. 



The same writers also state that tlie Skylark lias been twice recorded as 

 occurring in Greenland and in America ; and in anotlier place they state that 

 "the Skylark occasionally visits Greenland, and lias been met with in the 

 Bermudas." In tlie latter place a storm-tried waif was taken by Mr. J. M. 

 Jones after an easterly gale. 



The Lark is a universal favorite in the Old World, and as a vocalist enjoys 

 a reputation hardly second even to the far-famed Nightingale. It is an in- 

 haliitant of all the countries of Europe, and is said to be most abundant in 

 the cultivated districts. 



We only know of its song from caged specimens and from the testimony 

 of European writers. Yarrell speaks of its notes as cheerful and exhilarat- 

 ing, fresli as tli^ season of spring, and the admiration of all hearers. Its 

 voice is described as powerful to an extraordinary degree, and its song 

 wild and joyous. They sing while tliey Hy, rising, with quivering wings 

 almost perpendicularly, until they gain so great an elevation that tliey can 

 no longer be distinguished ; yet, while tlius no longer visible, their wild 

 music continues to be heard as that of some unseen spirits of the air. It is 

 said that one familiar with their song can readily determine, by their notes, 

 wliether the singer is ascending, stationary, or descending. Occasionally, 

 when at this great elevation, the Lark will close its wings and drop to the 

 earth with the rapidity of a stone. At times it will sing ^\'hile on the 

 ground, but its most lively strains are poured forth during these Mights. 

 And though this bird will sing while in confinement, and is a favorite cage- 

 bird, yet in singing they are said to flutter their wings, as if this motion were 

 almost a neces.sary accompaniment to tlieir song. 



In regard to tlie song and its peculiarities writers are not quite in agree- 

 ment. The general opinion seems to be that, while in tlie quality of its 

 tone it is surpassed by tlie song of the Nightingale, tlie Uulfinch, and the 

 Black-cap, it is unequalled in quantity, sprightliness, variety, and power. 

 The Lark is in song eight months of the year, and during the summer 

 months it sings from two in the morning, with very little intermission, until 

 after sunset. 



VOL. 11. 18 



