ALAUDID^ — THE LARKS. 137 



According to Messrs. Dresser and Sharpe, the Skylark is found throughout 

 the polar Arctic regions, from the Britisli Islands eastward to Siberia and 

 Northern China. A smaller subspecies is met with in Southeastern Eu- 

 rope, which does not present any character by which it can be separated 

 from it. In Eastern Europe the Lark has been found as far north as the 

 Earoe Islands, but has not been observed in Iceland. It reaches Christiania 

 in March, and leaves in October. It has been found breeding in Lapland as 

 far north as latitude 65°, and is a common summer visitant in Finland. 

 Pallas found it abundant throughout Eussia and Siberia, and Steller found 

 it not only in Kamtschatka, but equally in the Kurile Islands and in those 

 between Asia and America, so that its occurrence in our Alaskan territories 

 may be regarded as a not improbable event. 



The same writers also state that the Skylark has been twice recorded as 

 occurring in Greenland and in America ; and in another place they state that 

 " the Skylark occasionally visits Greenland, and has been met with in the 

 Bermudas." In the latter place a storm-tried waif was taken by Mr. J. M. 

 Jones after an easterly gale. 



The Lark is a universal favorite in the Old World, and as a vocalist enjoys 

 a reputation hardly second even to the far-famed Nightingale. It is an in- 

 habitant of all the countries of Europe, and is said to be most abundant in 

 the cultivated districts. 



We only know of its song from caged specimens and from the testimony 

 of European writers. Yarrell speaks of its notes as cheerful and exhilarat- 

 ing, fresh as the season of spring, and the admiration of all hearers. Its 

 voice is described as powerful to an extraordinary degree, and its song 

 wild and joyous. They sing while they fly, rising, with quivering wings 

 almost perpendicularly, until they gain so great an elevation that they can 

 no longer be distinguished ; yet, while thus no longer visible, their wild 

 music continues to be heard as that of some unseen spirits of the air. It is 

 said that one familiar with their song can readily determine, by their notes, 

 whether the singer is ascending, stationary, or descending. Occasionally, 

 when at this great elevation, the Lark will close its wings and drop to the 

 earth with the rapidity of a stone. At times it will sing while on the 

 ground, but its most lively strains are poured ibrth during these flights. 

 And though this bird will sing while in confinement, and is a favorite cage- 

 bird, yet in singing they are said to flutter their wings, as if this motion were 

 almost a necessary accompaniment to their song. 



In regard to the song and its peculiarities writers are not quite in agree- 

 ment. The general opinion seems to be that, wliile in the quality of its 

 tone it is surpassed by the song of the Nightingale, the Bulfinch, and the 

 Black-cap, it is unequalled in quantity, sprightliness, variety, and power. 

 The Lark is in song eight months of the year, and during the summer 

 months it sings from two in the morning, with very little intermission, until 

 after sunset. 



VOL. n. 18 



