138 PET EIEDS OF BENGAL 



tained. Neither does it mount so higfh 

 in the air". But Oates gives a note from 

 Brooks who says, *'It is quite equal to the 

 EngHsh Sky-Lark, I think, and the song is 

 sweeter." 



Its song and manner of delivery will 

 always remain a source of admiration to 

 everybody. It is always poured forth 

 while the bird is on the wing. The ascent 

 is perpendicular, the bird veering now to 

 the right, now to the left, rising in spiral 

 circles, till a height of a thousand feet is 

 reached. Sometimes, it hovers with a 

 continued fluttering of the wings. Right 

 through the ascent— as well as the descent 

 — its sweet and soothing music is kept on— 

 "singing still dost soar and soaring ever 

 singesf. The strain is maintained for a 

 very long time and, at least in regard to 

 the European bird, a continuous song of 

 half an hour's duration has been record- 

 ed. When the descent begins, there is a 

 perceptible change of tune. The bird goes 

 down with its wings kepD outspread and 



