]34 PET BIRDS OF BENGAL 



lip to be distinguished clearly. So it is not 

 easy to be sure which species it is'*. This 

 last remark, however, puts too much dis- 

 count on the powers of a trained observer, 

 though it is to be admitted that first-hand 

 information is meao-re. But the identifica- 

 tion of the species may not. be so difficult 

 if we take note of the maimer of ascent 

 and descent, and the environments. Indeed, 

 if we can take a day's outing to watch the 

 Lark amidst its native environments, a 

 most wonderful chapter of l)ir(l-life ihcI}' be 

 unfolded to us. In the uiatiiiii' season 

 specially, besides its song, the vigorous 

 habits of this bird manifest themselves in 

 manifold activities, its courtship being a 

 ?nost delicate, artistic, and elaborate affair. 

 The Lark is a stepping and not a hopping 

 })ird, and a hop is quite foreign to its 

 disposition. But when courting, the male 

 seems to regard hopping as an attractive 

 sort of gait and advances towards the 

 female with wings drooped, crest and tail 

 raised and with a series of impressive hops. 



