THE SKYLAKK. 253 



of the county, I saw large flocks on Lamberton Farm, 

 situate on the coast between Burnmouth and Berwick- 

 on-Tweed, there being comparatively little snow on the 

 ground facing the sea there. Immediately previous to the 

 two terrible drifty days, the 1st and 2nd of March 1886, 

 immense flocks, consisting of many thousands, were observed 

 in the neighbourhood of Mordington ; and, ten days later, I 

 saw very large numbers on the farm of Paxton South Mains. 

 The Skylark prefers an open exposed district away from the 

 shelter of woods, and often roosts at night on the barest 

 places. This characteristic is alluded to in a remark which, ■ 

 according to the late Dr. Henderson, of Chirnside, used to 

 be often heard amongst the peasantry of Berwickshire. On 

 a cold stormy night, when the cottage smoked and the good- 

 wife complained of the inconvenience, it was usual for the 

 head of the family to say: "We'd better hae reek than 

 cauld ; there 's nae reek in the Laverock's house the nicht."^ 

 A Scottish weather proverb says : " As lang 's the Laverock 

 sings afore Candlemas, it greets after 't," which apparently 

 alludes to the popular belief that severe weather often 

 follows a mild January, 



This bird has been long known as a very savoury 

 morsel for the table, and roasted Larks seem to have been 

 a favourite dish both in England and Scotland in olden times. 



The wyfe said, speicl the kaill eir sodclin, 

 And als the Laverok is fust and loddin.^ 



Bannatyne Poems. 



There is a well-fair abbey 



Of white monkes and of grey, 



There beth bowers and halls ; 



All of pasties beth the walls. 



Of flesh, of fish, and a rich meat 



The likefullest that man may eat. 



1 Dr. Henderson's MS. Notes. 



2 " Roasted and swollen," Jamieson's Scot. Diet. 



