126 A BOOK OF BIRDS 



they seem to show some relationship towards the Finches to be 

 discussed presently. 



The Larks are chiefly natives of the Old World, though North 

 America is not without representatives of the group, these being 

 found in the " Horned Larks." This family is distinguished, among 

 other things, by the fact that the back of the scale-covered portion 

 of the leg is covered by small scutes, and in this the Larks differ from 

 all other true Passeres. 



Of the several species of Larks which occur in Great Britain, the 

 Skylark (Plate XXVL fig. i) is by far the best known. After the 

 Nightingale, no bird has so stirred the finer feelings of the poets. 

 There are few birds which sing while on the wing, and of such 

 performers the Skylark is easily first. One of the most pitiful 

 sights possible is, perhaps, that of a caged Skylark trying to sing ; 

 but the callousness of their gaolers is even more pitiful. 



During migration these birds suffer appalling losses to their ranks. 

 On the island of Heligoland, which is on the line of their route to this 

 country during the annual autumn influx, as many as 15,000 have 

 been caught in a single night ; while immense numbers break their 

 necks by dashing themselves, bewildered, against the beacons of the 

 lighthouse, or stunned, fall into the sea and are drowned. 



The WooDLARK (Plate XXVL fig. 2) is but a locally distributed 

 species throughout Great Britain. Resembling the Skylark in 

 appearance, it may always be distinguished therefrom by its smaller 

 size, shorter tail, more pronounced crest, and the broad, pale stripe 

 over the eye. The song is sweet and flute-like, and uttered on the 

 wing, the bird hovering in the air and descending spirally with half- 

 closed wings. It does not mount like the Skylark, however, nor 

 is its song so powerful. 



The Crested Lark (Plate XXVL fig. 3) though tolerably com- 

 mon just across the Channel, is rare in England. Rather more 

 bulky than the Skylark, it may further be distinguished by the long, 

 drooping crest, which depends from the back of the head, and the 

 absence of white from the tail. 



FAMILY FRINGILLID/E {The Finches) 

 The Finch family includes an enormous number of species, many 



