Perching Birds. 



The Shore-Lark is recognised b_v the 

 tufts of black feathers, forming horns, on 

 each side of the hinder part of the crown. 

 The general colour is ashy vinous, and the 

 eyebrow and forehead are yellow, followed 

 by a broad band of black across the crown. 

 The occurrence ot 

 the Calandra Lark, 

 which is a South 

 European species, in 



THE CALANDRA 



LARK. 



{Melanocorypha 



cnlandra). 



The White-Winged Lark. 



England is doubtful, and is generally dis- 

 credited, though the species appears in 

 most lists of so-called British Larks. The 

 pointed wing and stout bill distinguish 

 it from the rest of our British Larks. 

 The White-Winged Lark [M elanocorypha sibirica) is a smaller species than 

 the true Calandra Lark, and is to be easily told by its rusty-red lesser wing-coverts, 

 which form a distinct shoulder-patch, and by the white secondary-quills, which are 

 very conspicuous, especialh' when the bird is flying. It has been observed once only 

 in Great Britain, a specimen having been obtained near Brighton, in November, 

 1867. On the Continent it has been noticed in Belgium and Northern Itah', and 

 also in the Island of Heligoland, but it can only be reckoned as a very rare and 

 occasional visitor to Western and Southern Europe. The home of the species is in 

 Central Asia and Southern Russia, whence it wanders westward to Poland and 

 Galicia, and still further into Western Europe. In its habits the White-winged 

 Lark resembles our Sky- Lark, mounting into the air and singing, and assembling 

 in flocks in the autumn. The nest is built on the ground, under the covering of a 

 tuft of grass or small bush, and is constructed of grass. The eggs are four or five 

 in number, of the usual Lark-like character, 

 being white or greenish white, with numerous 

 brown spots and grey underlying spots and 

 markings. 



The Sky-Lark [Alauda arvensis). This 

 familiar species would seem scarcely to require 

 any detailed description, as it is well known to 

 all of us as a companion of our walks or as a 

 frequent cage-bird. It may be known, however, 

 from the other British species, by its very 

 diminutive first primary, which is so small that 

 it is distinguished with difficulty, and in reality 

 looks like one of the primary-coverts. The The Skv-Lark. 



