168 ALAUDA ARVENSIS. 



deed, unless the ground be all gone over, many will remain 

 and allow their companions to fly otF, Their movements while 

 rising are rapid and wavering, so that until they are at some 

 distance it is difficult to shoot them. Owing to their habit of 

 crouching, it is by no means easy to perceive them while on the 

 ground, especially if they are among stubble ; and as their mo- 

 tions are quick, they traverse a considerable space in a short 

 time. When there is snow on the ground, they betake them- 

 selves to corn-yards, and search the tops of the stacks for seeds ; 

 but in frosty weather, when the ground is clear, they prefer 

 settling on the spaces between or around the stacks. If dis- 

 turbed and forced to fly off", they do not, like the Buntings, 

 Chaffinches, and Sparrows, with which they then associate, 

 perch on the neighbouring trees or walls, but remove to a dis- 

 tance. During this season, they merely utter a short chirping 

 note as they fly, although occasionally a bright day even so 

 early as January will elicit their song. 



In the beginning of March, or earlier if the weather is fine, 

 they separate and pair. At this period, the males often fight, 

 chiefly in the air ; and now their song commences, to be con- 

 tinued until the middle of autumn. I have heard larks in full 

 song on the 13th of February, in Fifeshire. This species is per- 

 haps that which, excepting the White-throat and Blackbird, be- 

 gins to sing earliest in the morning. On the 12th of March 1835, 

 while on an excursion along the coast, I was greeted at half- 

 past five, between Portobello and Musselburgh, with the full 

 song of the Lark, followed shortly after by those of the Robin 

 and Blackbird, and the harsh cry of the Partridge. In the 

 island of Harris, about the middle of June, in 1820, when on 

 my way to the summit of a hill to see the sun rise, I heard the 

 Lark at half-past one, and soon after the Snipe and Corn Crake. 

 It ceases however in the evening much earlier than several of 

 our songsters, especially the Blackbird, Thrush, and Robin. 



The Song of the Sky Lark is familiar to most persons, even 

 those who in cities have exchanged the love of nature inherent 

 in humanity for the love of gain, fashion, and vicious excite- 

 ment ; but were it not, it would be as difficult for me to de- 

 scribe it as it would be for a musician to imitate it. Some- 



