28 THE BIRDS OF BERKS AND BUCKS. 



to sing early in the year; I have heard a Skylark 

 giving forth its joyous song high above my head 

 before the end of January. 



The nest of the Skylark is very carefully con- 

 cealed. After the young are hatched great flocks 

 congregate, and late in October I have observed 

 immense numbers flying over my head. These 

 birds are annually caught in large quantities by 

 London bird-catchers, who come to our extensive 

 commons for that purpose. Many, too, are shot 

 and trapped, being esteemed for the delicate flavour 

 of their flesh. What cruelty it seems to keep these 

 birds in close stuffy cages all the year, when they 

 ought to be soaring high in the sky singing their 

 Maker's praise ! 



Mr. William Harding, of Eton, killed a pure white 

 Skylark at Eton Wick, between the years 1807 and 

 1817: he was unable to tell me the exact date. 

 On the 7th of January, 1868, a pure white Skylark was 

 shot by Mr. Richard Dover, near Prince's Risborough. 

 Mr. Goodall, of the 59th Regiment, killed another 

 white bird of this species within seven miles of Ris- 

 borough, in 1865. This is recorded by Mr. W. 

 Goodall, in the Field of January 18, 1868. This 

 curious variety is now in his possession. During the 

 month of June 1867, I saw eight or nine young Sky- 

 larks in a cage, at Eton : some of these were about 

 a fortnight older than the others, and one of the elder 

 birds appeared to feed his smaller brothers and sisters 



