SKY LARK. 173 



very frequently be seen on the roads, and when disturbed some- 

 times ahghting on the walls, to return when the intruder has 

 passed. In warm dry weather they flutter in the dust, like 

 Sparrows and many other birds, appearing to derive great en- 

 joyment from this action. In autvimn, they have no song, and 

 fly about in a very quiet manner, in pairs, or a few together, 

 apparently intent on recruiting their energies by the abundant 

 food which they obtain in the stubble and grass fields. 



The Sky Lark is generally distributed in Britain, and is 

 plentiful even in the most northern parts of the mainland and 

 islands of Scotland. It remains all the year, but in winter the 

 aggregated individuals repair to the lower districts. Although 

 not confined to arable land and green pastures, it is rarely met 

 with on heathy tracts. According to authors it is of general 

 occurrence on the Continent of Europe, and inhabits many 

 parts of Asia, as well as the north of Africa. 



Larks cannot be considered of much importance as an article 

 of food ; yet vast numbers are sent to our markets in winter, 

 especially in London, and some other English cities ; but in 

 Scotland they are in little request. They taste well, not better 

 however than the Corn Bunting, but are decidedly inferior to 

 the Blackbird, Fieldfare, and Thrush. The eggs of all small 

 birds are delicious, those of the Sky Lark, Meadow Pipit, 

 Wheatear, Thrush, and Corn Bunting, I have often, when a 

 boy, eaten in the Hebrides, after being roasted in peat ashes. 



Young. — The general colour is light yellowish-grey, all the 

 feathers of the upper parts dusky, tipped and margined with 

 the former, the ear-coverts reddish. The young in their second 

 plumage may be distinguished from the old birds, by their 

 having the dark markings larger, the bill and feet paler, the 

 claws, especially that of the hind toe, shorter. 



