SKY LARK. 4] 3 



eggs ; in 1887 the same pair produced three sets of eggs, and 

 reared some of their young ; and this year, three females had, 

 each of them, a nest and eggs. The materials for building 

 are sought for and carried by the male bird to the spot se- 

 lected for the intended nest, near which the female remains 

 to assist in arranging them. During the period of producing 

 the eggs, the female has occasionally been heard to sing with 

 a power and variety of tone equal to the voice of her mate. 

 The male Sky Lark, though at other times timid, is, while 

 his female is sitting, bold and pugnacious; driving every other 

 bird away that ventures too near his charge, both watching 

 and feeding her with unceasing solicitude. To supply the 

 quantity of insect food necessary during summer, the maggots 

 of the flesh fly, and the beetle, so common in most kitchens, 

 are principally resorted to. 



Sky Larks constantly dust themselves, appearing to take 

 great pleasure in the operation, shuffling and rubbing them- 

 selves along the ground, setting up their feathers, and by a 

 peculiar action of the legs and wings throwing the smaller and 

 looser portions of the soil over every part of their bodies. 

 This is supposed to be done in order to rid themselves of 

 small parasitic insects. Many ground birds, such as Quails 

 and Partridges, are observed to be inveterate dusters, their 

 terrestrial habits probably exposing them to the constant 

 attacks of minute but very troublesome visiters. From the 

 numbers of male Sky Larks sold for cage birds, and the sum 

 obtained for them, — twelve or fifteen shillings being a com- 

 mon price for a good bird, — various means are practised to 

 entrap them. Though living in pairs during summer, Sky 

 Larks are gTCgarious in winter, assembling in vast flocks on 

 the open country, where thousands are taken for the table by 

 dragging a net over the stubbles, and other short cover, 

 among which the poor birds shelter themselves. At this 

 time they are in excellent condition, even during severe frost. 



