WOOD-LARK. 257 
less in some places it is a constant resident, and its charming song may be 
heard almost throughout the year. The Wood-Lark frequents very 
different places to those chosen by the Sky-Lark, and is principally found 
on the borders of woods and groves, in open spaces in forests, or in the 
immediate neighbourhood of plantations. In some localities it frequents 
parks and fields ; in others it is seen on the borders of heaths and commons ; 
but in every situation the presence of trees seems indispensable to this 
charming little bird. Like the Tree-Pipit it seldom wanders far when once 
it has selected a summer home, and the observer may almost be certain of 
finding it in its chosen locality throughout the season. It also appears to 
return, if migratory, every season to its old summer-quarters. During the 
winter the Wood-Lark is more or less gregarious ; but its sociability seems 
to cease very early in the year, and about the end of February or beginning 
of March it pairs and betakes itself to its breeding-quarters. Its habits 
in spring more resemble those of the Tree-Pipit than the Sky-Lark, and 
there can be little doubt that the two birds are often confused by careless 
observers. 
At its breeding-grounds in early spring the Wood-Lark spends much of 
his time in song. He often chooses a perch on the dead branch of a tree, 
sometimes on the very summit, from which to warble his delightful song, 
which he continues for hours. At other times he sings as he soars in 
circling flight above his favourite trees; and will sometimes even sit on 
the ground and warble almost as sweetly as when in the air. The song of 
the Wood-Lark is certaimly superior to that of the Sky-Lark ; it is not 
quite so loud, but is even more continuous; and if it be more monotonous, 
the richness of the tone almost approaches that of the Blackcap, whilst 
sometimes one is tempted to compare its plaintive melody with that of the 
Nightingale. The song-flight is very similar to that of the Sky-Lark, but 
performed more in circles ; and the bird seldom soars so high, and usually 
warbles for some time whilst hovering in the air. Its song is commenced 
before dawn and is kept up at intervals throughout the day and even into 
the dusk of evening. 
The Wood-Lark sings until the moulting-season and regains its song in 
September, warbling at intervals throughout the winter if a warm sunny 
day occurs. As might be expected, the Wood-Lark is in great request by 
the bird-fancier ; and the practice of trapping it for confinement has been 
the primary cause of its scarcity or total absence from some districts, 
especially in the neighbourhood of large towns. The call-note of the 
Wood-Lark is a double one, very musical and something like that of the 
Sky-Lark. 
The Wood-Lark is very active upon the ground, running about in search 
of food and often crouching so closely to the earth as to allow itself to be 
almost trodden upon ere it takes wing. When rising into the air it usually 
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