WOOD-LAEK 227 



species nested freely in convenient natural depressions 

 sheltered by the grass growing at the sides of the road. 

 In the afternoon, whilst walking at the side of the 

 road, I almost trod on the parent bird, who flew up 

 from my feet, disclosing four newly hatched chicks. A 

 repetition of the same thing occurred a few yards further 

 on, the nest containing three fresh eggs ; and yet another 

 with four fresh eggs. Besides these, several empty nests 

 were discovered." 



In the Zoologist, 1847, Mr. Edward H. M. Sladen drew 

 attention to an article which appeared in the Kentish 

 Gazette, February 2, 1847, respecting a new species of 

 Lark, which had been found near Margate, and described 

 under the name of Alauda isabeUina by Mr. S. Mummery. 

 These birds were merely buff or cream-coloured ordinary 

 Sky-Larks. 



WOOD-LAEK. 



Alauda arhorea, Linnaeus. S.N., i., p. 287 (1766). 



The Wood-Lark is a scarce bird during the summer in 

 Kent, and it does not appear to breed in any numbers in 

 the county. From observations made they are more 

 abundant during the winter, when driven down from the 

 north. 



Lord Clifton, writing to the Zoologist, 1867, says : 

 "During the first severe snow here (Cobham) flocks of 

 Larks were continually passing over the park. The 

 birds I imagine to have been Wood-Larks. I never 

 could find out that they settled anywhere ; all I know is 

 that they were continually passing over my head in a 

 south-westerly direction ; as they flew over me I noticed 



