XKSTi.\(:->g:itii,s oi nuriisn bihds 145 



osiers, sedge, and rushes flourisli, but during winter it is oiteu to be met 

 with in the stubble-fields. Its food consists of insects and their larvse, 

 as well as Crustacea, seeds, and grain. The nest, made of dry grass and 

 dead flags, lined with bents, hair, and flowers of the reed, is nsually 

 placed on the ground among tufts of rushes, but occasionally in a low 

 bush. The eggs, from four to six in number, are imrplish-grey, boldly 

 marked and streaked Mith dark purplish-brown. Two, and sometimes 

 three, broods are reared in a season. 



Norfolk, July. 

 Presented hij Lord ]Vah\n(jh(im. 



No. 25. MEADOW-PIPIT or TITLARK. 



(Antlius pratonsis.) 



Generally distributetl tiirunghout the British Islands during the 

 summer months, and almost as abundant on the higher moors as it 

 is in the low-lying districts. Many individuals remain thronghout 

 the year, but in autumn large numbers leave our shores and return 

 in spring. Insects, worms, molluscs and seeds lorm its princi)ial 

 food and are actively searched for on the ground. The song is gene- 

 rally uttered on the wing, but sometimes when tiie bird is perched 

 on some bush or stone. The nest of dry grass is always placed 

 on the ground under the shelter of grass or among heather. The eggs 

 are greyisli-whitc, thickly spotted with various shades of brown, and vary 

 from four to six in number. 



Resident birds breed much earlier in the year than migrants, and the 



nes-t exhibited was taken at a time when the latter were probably still 



on their way north. „ . i 



•^ Sussex, April. 



Presented by Dr. R. Boird/er Sliarpe. 



No. 26. SKY-LARK. (Aliuida arveiisis.) 



This well-known songster is widely distributed throughout the British 

 Islands, and is es|}ecially abundant in the vicinity of cultivated fields 

 and grass-land. In autumn its numbers are largely iucrea.sed by 

 immense flocks which arrive on our eastern coasts from the Continent. 

 Its magnificent and long-sustained song, uttered while the bird is soaring 

 on the wing till almost lost to sight, must be familiar to all. The nest 

 of dry grass is placed on the ground among growing crops or under the 

 shelter of a tuft of grass, and from three to five dull grey eggs, thickly 

 spotted with brown, are laid towards the end of April. Two broods are 

 usually produced in a season. 



Norfolk, June. 

 Presented by Lord JVuIsinyham. 



