96 THE BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



when the bird is feeding is frequently raised. The streaked 

 breast and a dark brown and white mark at the edge of the 

 wing are also characteristic. It is hardly a woodland bird 

 though haunting tree-clad country, for in spite of its habit of 

 singing from a branch and seeking refuge in trees it is dis- 

 tinctly a ground bird in its habits. The outskirts of woods, 

 open spaces in parks or forest land, sandy wastes and rough 

 hill-sides, where birches and small oaks are scattered, are its 

 favoured haunts. On one sunny hill-side I saw it frequently 

 lie basking on the warm rocky outcrops. In winter it is less 

 particular and roams in small flocks to places remote from its 

 home ; it is then not uncommon on the coastal slopes and cliff 

 tops. 



The song, richer in tone than that of the Skylark but less 

 varied, mainly the repetition of two or three sweet notes, is 

 uttered when the bird rises in the air like its congener, or 

 from a tree or the ground. The call-note is double or triple, 

 "tweedlie" or " too-lui-ie," and is often uttered in flight, though 

 in winter the bird is more silent. The flight, when the bird is 

 flitting about the open in spring, and which perhaps has 

 nuptial significance, is slow and unique in character. The 

 bird rises and falls in a series of sharply angled curves rather 

 than undulations. It flutters up for a few feet, then glides with 

 wings expanded, but before the ascent ends it closes its wings ; 

 when the momentum fails the wings are extended and it slides 

 earthward to repeat the performance. The height to which it 

 rises varies considerably ; the upward sweeps are irregular. 

 On the ground the Wood-Lark walks and runs, and when the 

 feeding birds are disturbed they crouch like Skylarks and rise 

 one by one. The food consists of seeds and insects. 



The nest, similar in materials but more compact than that 

 of the Skylark, is placed upon the ground and is usually well 

 concealed (Plate 38). The eggs, three or four, are smaller 

 and less mottled than those of the last species, and the spots 



