SKY-LARK. 267 
wing varying from 4°9 to 3:9 inch, both large and small forms being 
found from England to Eastern Siberia. The variation in colour is also 
considerable, independently of the fact that freshly moulted autumn birds 
are much more rufous than birds in abraded summer plumage. Summer 
examples from East Siberia, and winter examples from North-west India, 
Asia Minor, and Palestine (presumably from localities where the rainfall 
is comparatively small), are much greyer in plumage and have been 
described as distinct under the name of A. dulcivox, but are evidently 
nothing more than a climatic race of the Common Sky-Lark. In Japan, 
where the influence of the Pacific produces a climate somewhat similar to 
that of Western Europe, the Sky-Larks again become more rufous in 
colour; and freshly-moulted examples may possibly be ashade more rufous 
on the margins of the wing-feathers and on the rump and upper tail- 
coverts, and a somewhat purer white on the belly, than English birds at the 
same season, and might be regarded as a distinct variety, under the 
name of A. japonica, by those ornithologists who, as Dr. Coues expresses it, 
are anxious to determine the difference between the north and the north- 
west side of a hair. The difficulty of recognizing these varieties of the 
Sky-Lark is that they are climatic rather than geographical; and if the 
three forms we have named be recognized, it would probably also be 
necessary to admit many other intermediate forms from widely distant 
localities. In Turkestan, India, and South China a decidedly smaller race 
of the Sky-Lark occurs, which varies in length of wing from 8°7 to 3°2 
inch. This race is also subject to the same climatic variation in colour— 
examples from Turkestan and India (A. gu/gula) being paler and greyer, 
and those from South China and Ceylon (A. celivor) being darker and 
more rufous. These two latter forms are no doubt conspecific. 
No bird is better known or more frequently kept in confinement than 
the Sky-Lark. It is easily caught, readily tamed, and bears its captivity 
well, singing as sweetly on the sod in its little cage as when soaring 
in boundless freedom high up amongst the clouds. It is found in all 
kinds of places, from the coast to the inland moors and mountains, but is 
perhaps most abundant in well-cultivated districts. It delights to frequent 
arable land, rich meadows, and commons, but is never seen in woods or 
places where trees are very close together. It is also very partial to the 
most elevated pastures, and often deserts a sheltered valley to remain on 
them throughout the year. During winter the Sky-Lark is gregarious; 
but very early in the spring the large flocks break up, and it retires to its 
breeding-grounds. In March, when the cold winds are drying up the 
fallows, and the first spring-flowers are appearing in the hedges, the Sky- 
Lark pairs. At this season several males may often be seen chasing a 
female with great rapidity through the air and every now and then 
bursting out into sweetest song. Sometimes a male will hover above the 
