60 NEWS FROM THE BIRDS. 



flowers or grass. The old birds approacli the 

 nest very stealthily, but when the mother has 

 once seated herself upon it she may often 

 be caught with the hand, so loath is she to 

 leave. The eggs, usually four or five in 

 number, are of a grayish color, speckled with 

 brown. 



Curious as it may seem, the lark does not 

 perch on a limb, but, when not on the wing, 

 walks on the bare ground or through the long 

 grass. Each pair of birds, if not unfortunate, 

 will raise several broods in a sino-le season. 

 As is the case with the pheasants, grouse, and 

 partridges, the young leave their birthplace 

 very soon after they are hatched, but their 

 manners Just at that period of their lives are 

 not well known. 



Are you aware that the skylark makes a 

 very fine cage bird ? Except the canaries, 

 there is perhaj)s no bird so greatly esteemed in 

 Europe as a pet, many a poor family that can 

 afford no other luxury having one of these 

 merry minstrels in a cage. It is very hardy, 

 and is, therefore, easily kept in confinement, 

 living on insects, seeds, and vegetables, and 

 seldom being troubled with sickness of any 

 kind. A five-dollar bill will buy one of these 

 delightful pets, if sent to the well-known bird 



