i8o OVR FAVOURITE SONG BIRDS 



almost entirely peculiar to the breeding season. 

 Except when inspired by love it is as much a 

 ground bird as any other of its relations, finding 

 most of its food upon the ground, and invariably 

 roosting upon it. When flushed, however, it very 

 often seeks refuge in a tree, and in this respect 

 shows a decided difference of habit from the Sky- 

 Lark. It has the same skulking habits, hiding low 

 amongst the herbage, rising when almost trodden 

 upon, and running about with great nimbleness in 

 quest of food or to elude approaching danger. In 

 very early spring the Wood-Lark's habits change 

 the parties disperse over the breeding-grounds and 

 errantry is over until the young are safely reared. 

 Like the Tree Pipit the present species keeps very 

 closely to a chosen haunt all through the spring and 

 summer ; and another point of resemblance is the 

 method of its song. 



The Wood-Lark is one of the earliest birds to 

 regain its voice in spring, doing so in mild seasons 

 as early as February. This Lark not only sings 

 whilst perched on the trees and bushes, but often 

 has some particular branch from which it rises into 

 the air to warble. The bird does not soar so high 

 as the preceding species, nor yet so rapidly ; it is 

 more addicted to circling round, floating as it were, 

 or rising and falling just above the tops of the trees. 

 The song is undoubtedly superior to the Sky-Lark's 

 in many respects. It may not be so loud, but it 

 is equally continuous ; the notes are sweeter too, 



