WOOD LARK. 177 



meadows, in search of worms, or, if the ground be entirely 

 frozen, to stack-yards, where it joins the Sparrows, Buntinorg, 

 and other small birds, in appropriating to itself as many of the 

 seeds as it can obtain. 



Early in spring the small flocks disperse, and by the middle 

 of March, should the season be favourable, the different pairs 

 have commenced the building of their nests. At this time 

 the Wood Lark is in full song, and may be seen springing 

 from a field in the same manner as the common species, as- 

 cending either perpendicularly or in a slanting direction, then 

 sweeping along in circles, and all the while pouring forth its 

 cheerful song, which, although not so diversified as that of the 

 Sky Lark, is considerably more melodious. Indeed as a song- 

 ster this bird has been considered as little inferior to the Nicrhtin- 

 gale or Garden Warbler. It also sings at times when perched 

 on a tree, as well as on the ground, and its song is continued 

 through the greater part of the year, ceasing only from the 

 middle of autumn to that of winter, although in the latter 

 season, and in early spring, it is to be heard only on fine sunny 

 days. 



The nest is placed on the ground, generally in a corn field, 

 or in pasture land, in the vicinity of a wood or thicket, and 

 is composed externally of dry grass, and lined with finer blades 

 intermixed with hair. The eggs, four or five in number, 

 average ten-twelfths of an inch in length, seven -twelfths and a 

 half in breadth, and are of a pale yellowish-brown colour, 

 freckled with umber or greyish-brown, and sometimes having 

 a few irregular dusky lines at the larger end. 



Some of the above particulars are given on the authority of 

 Montagu, as the opportunities which I have enjoyed of observ- 

 ing this species in the south-western counties of England have 

 been few. The descriptions, however, are taken from actual 

 specimens. 



Young. — Upper parts yellowish-brown, the feathers with a 

 band of dusky, and light edges ; lower parts pale greyish- 

 yellow, sides and fore part of neck with angular dusky spots ; 

 part of the breast tinged with yellowish- red. 



VOL. II. N 



