LARKS, WOODPECKERS, ETC. 185 
ordinary conditions, much of the seed lies exposed, 
perhaps for half an hour, after sowing, until the 
harrow has passed over the ground ; and thus, such 
birds as the sparrow find an opportunity for making 
off with a very appreciable quantity. But, were the 
grain to be sown rather more deeply, the earth would 
necessarily fall in behind the drills as they passed 
NUNS 
aN NSN 
The Skylark. 
along, and, the seed being at once covered, all danger 
of such petty larceny would be at an end. 
The persecution to which the lark is subjected, 
unfortunately for itself, is not due to its occasional 
robberies alone, for there are two other causes which 
annually lead to its capture in immense numbers. 
