SHORE LARK. 405 



" The Shore Lark breeds on the high and desolate tracts 

 of Labrador, in the vicinity of the sea. The face of the 

 country appears as if formed of one undulated expanse of 

 granite, covered with mosses and lichens, varying in size and 

 colour, some green, others as white as snow, and others again 

 of every tint, and disposed in large patches or tufts. It is on 

 the latter that this Lark places her nest, which is disposed 

 with so much care, while the moss so resembles the bird in 

 hue, that unless you almost tread upon her as she sits, she 

 seems to feel secure, and remains unmoved. Should you, 

 however, approach so near, she flutters away, feigning lame- 

 ness so cunningly, that none but one accustomed to the sight 

 can refrain from pursuing her. The male immediately joins 

 her in mimic wretchedness, uttering a note so soft and plain- 

 tive, that it requires a strong stimulus to force the naturalist 

 to rob the poor birds of their treasure." 



" The nest around is imbedded in the moss to its edges, 

 which is composed of fine grasses, circularly disposed, and 

 forming a bed about two inches thick, with a lining of Grouse 

 feathers, and those of other birds. In the beginning of July 

 the eggs are deposited. They are four or five in number, 

 large, greyish, and covered with numerous pale blue and 

 brown spots. The young leave the nest before they are able 

 to fly, and follow their parents over the moss, where they are 

 fed about a week. They run nimbly, emit a soft peep, and 

 squat closely at the first appearance of danger. If observed 

 and pursued, they open their wings to aid them in their es- 

 cape, and, separating, make off with great celerity. On such 

 occasions it is difficult to secure more than one of them, un- 

 less several persons be present, when each can pursue a bird. 

 The parents all this time are following the enemy overhead, 

 lamenting the danger to which their young are exposed. In 

 several instances, the old bird followed us almost to our boat, 

 alighting occasionally on a projecting crag before us, and 



