170 OUR FAVOURITE SONG BIRDS 



in this respect. The Larks are essentially a musical 

 family ; indeed we feel justified in the assertion that 

 no other known birds excel certain species of the 

 present group in their splendid vocal attainments ; 

 and of these fine singers we can fortunately claim 

 two of the very best. Of the extra British species 

 several at least deserve brief notice. One remark- 

 able species is the Crested Lark {Galerita ciHstata), 

 which possesses a sweet and varied song, uttered 

 generally when the bird is standing on the ground. 

 In India this Lark is said to be highly prized for its 

 vocal powers, being kept in a darkened cage, where 

 it is said also to imitate certain sounds. The Calandra 

 Lark {Melanoco^ypha calandra) is another pleasing 

 songster which we had the pleasure of hearing during 

 our journey in North Africa. It is neither so pro- 

 longed nor so beautiful as that of our own Sky- Lark, 

 but the bird is a very industrious singer, and is inces- 

 santly rising from the herbage to warble for a few 

 moments and then to drop down again. By some 

 authorities this Lark is described as one of the finest 

 songsters in Europe ; and if the extent to which it 

 is kept in cages in many South European cities be 

 any indication of its musical attainments these must 

 be exceptionally high. Lastly, we may mention the 

 Shore Lark {Otocoris alpestris), another bird which 

 repeatedly sings whilst standing upon the ground, 

 but more frequently whilst careering about the air 

 high above its nesting-places in the Arctic regions. 



