SKY-LARK. 273 
few of the birds alight here, the great majority pass down the coast at once. 
I do not think the Sky-Lark flies very close to the sea when migrating, 
for it is very seldom caught in the flight-nets.”’ 
Probably some of these newly arrived birds drift inland at once ; but by 
far the greater number continue their migrations, following the coast-line 
to the south, and at many of the stations the stream of migratory birds 
passing from north to south along the coast in autumn is greater than that 
arriving from the east over the sea. The coast-line seems to be followed 
for some distance, for at Brighton the migrations of Sky-Larks in October 
is very remarkable, on account of its direction being exactly opposite to 
that of the Greenfinches, Linnets, Redpoles, and other birds which cross 
the Channel when the opposite coast can easily be seen. The Sky-Larks 
and other birds coming into the country to winter all migrate from east to 
west ; the Linnets and other birds going out of the country after the 
breeding-season is over all migrate from west to east. 
The typical form of the Sky-Lark in breeding-plumage has the general 
colour of the upper parts brown; the dark centres of the feathers are well 
defined throughout ; the outside tail-feather on each side is entirely white 
except the outside half of the inner web, and the next feather on each 
side is only white on the outer web. The underparts are pale buflish white, 
darkest on the breast, and the spots on the breast are very distinct. Bill 
dark brown above, paler below; legs, feet, and claws yellowish brown ; 
irides hazel. The female resembles the male in colour. After the autumn 
moult the general colour of the upper parts is rich buffish brown, the 
underparts are suffused with pale olive-brown, and the throat is faintly 
spotted. Birds of the year resemble adults, but have nearly white narrow 
tips to the ends of the feathers of the upper parts. Young in first plumage 
are spotted on the upper parts with black and buff, and the underparts are 
creamy buff, profusely spotted with blackish brown, except on the centre of 
the belly and under tail-coverts. The Sky-Lark may be distinguished by 
its very small bastard-primary, well-developed hind claw, and spotted 
breast. 
VOL. II. iT 
