320 Editorial. 



the young- not being observed till they were on the wing, and 

 commencing to come into colour — a certificate Mill be awarded 

 recording the above details. 



The claims upon our space being very heavy this 

 month, other notes are held over till next issue. 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



Bird Life Through the Camera. 



By H. Willp^ord. 



{Continued 'from page 314, Vol. I., N.S. 

 The Sky- lark (Alavda arvcnsis, Limi. This favoui'- 

 ite songster is plentiful throughout the British Islands, and is 

 a common cage pet, gladdening many a narrow street, or back- 

 yard, with its gladsome and tuneful melody, while those privil- 

 eged to hear it, i.e. to hear the fulsome abandon of its lay as 

 it soars above its nesting mate, listen enraptured and entranced. 

 Fortunately this is not only reserved for those resident in the 

 country, for thi.^ grand songster U still found in close proximity 

 to most towns. How it gladdens the countryside, and with 

 what ecstacies young and old alike listen to the carolling- 

 speck above them. It is so well known as to, call ,for no 

 description, but the adult male is 6| inches in length; the 

 crown of the head is rich brown, back of neck, back, and 

 wings, chestnut-brown, all the feathers of these parts being 

 edged with a lighter shade of same hue; underparts pale 

 buff spotted with dark brown on throat, chest, and breast. 



F-emale: Smaller and less brilliant in colour. 



The photos illustrating these notes, are three of a series 

 I obtained this year, taken by means of a hiding tent, on some 

 rough ground near Haven-street, I. of W. and I gleaned and 

 deduced the following notes from my experiences. The nest, 

 as is customary. Was in the open field. At the same the site 

 seems always chosen where there is something slight to shade 

 the nest, in this instance the photo shows a sprig of bramble, 

 the leaves of which shaded the nest {see photo). This consti- 

 tutes one of the difficulties of securing photos of this species, 

 the nest must be more or less opened up and they ivilV, not 

 sit in the sun. 



