ALAUDID^. 



>49 



THE SKY-LARK. 



Alauda arvensis, Linneeus. 



This favourite songster, known also as the Laverock, is distributed 

 throughout the British Islands (though local in the north of Scot- 

 land), and is especially abundant in the vicinity of arable or pasture 

 land. A considerable emigration takes place from the northern 

 districts in autumn ; and at that season the flocks of our home-bred 

 birds are augmented by hordes from the Continent, which are some- 

 times observed arriving on our east coast for days in succession. Li 

 Ireland a similar invasion from England takes place. 



The Sky-Lark only breeds in small numbers in the Faeroes, 

 but flocks sometimes visit that group of islands in autumn. In 

 Scandinavia it nests as far north as lat. 70°, but is comparatively 

 rare beyond the Arctic circle ; while eastward it is found, in suitable 

 localities, across Russia, Siberia, and Asia generally north of the 

 Himalayas, as far as the coast of the Pacific, the Kuril and other 

 islands, and Japan. In winter it visits China, North-western India, 

 Afghanistan, Persia, Asia Minor, Palestine and Egypt. During the 

 summer it is found throughout Europe, and even breeds sparsely in 

 the southern portions of the Spanish Peninsula, while in the north- 

 west dark-coloured residents are found on the higher grounds. In 

 autumn a general southward movement takes place, and few Sky- 



