158 ALAUDA. LARKS. 



of the Redwing and Fieldfare ; and its song-flight has sojne 

 affinity to that of the Titlark. The genus Alauda forms the 

 transition in one direction from the Emberizinre to the Mota- 

 cillinie ; but although some of the species are as much grani- 

 vorous as insectivorous, they are not buskers, for they swallow 

 seeds entire, and have no crop. It certainly belongs more 

 strictly to the order Cantatores, to which I have accordingly 

 removed it, although very many authors have thrust it among 

 their Conirostres or Granivora^. The Sky Lark is no doubt 

 granivorous ; but so is the Blackbird to a certain extent, as 

 well as the Raven, the Carrion Crow, the Rook, and even the 

 Meadow Pipits and Robin Red-breast. It is also, however, 

 vermivorous ; and considering its structure, affinities, and 

 habits, we must place it, not among the Conirostres, but in 

 the midst of a group of birds, of which some are more grani- 

 vorous, others more insectivorous, but almost all have con- 

 siderable latitude as to their food. 



The Larks are generally distributed on the old Continent, 

 and one species occurs in the northern parts of the new. They 

 prefer open places, search the fields, pastures, and marshes for 

 seeds, larvae, worms, and insects ; walk and run, but do not 

 leap like the Deglubitores and many of the Cantatores ; and 

 have a rather rapid, somewhat undulated flight. Their diges- 

 tive organs are evidently adapted for seeds and insects, and to 

 aid the action of the gizzard they swallow small fragments of 

 stone or particles of sand. They nestle on the ground, lay 

 from four to six freckled or spotted eggs, feed their young with 

 worms and insects, and generally produce more than one brood 

 in the season. 



Some Larks have very thick, and others slender bills. The 

 former might constitute a distinct genus, as might the latter, 

 were slight deviations to be considered as affording sufficient 

 generic distinctions. 



Three species occur in this country. One, the Sky Lark, is 

 generally distributed ; another, the Wood Lark, has not been 

 met with in Scotland, but is not uncommon in some parts of 

 England. Both species are permanent residents. Of the third, 

 the Shore or Alpine Lark, only a few individuals have been 

 met with. 



