THE LARK FAMILY 133 
anywhere about. No matter how long one may 
stay there hopmg to find the nest, she will not 
go back, not even to see if it is safe, so long as 
any one is near. [If all birds were so wily, there 
would be fewer nests robbed, and we should 
have more birds. 
The little home so carefully guarded is well 
made. The bird scratches out a little hollow 
and lines it with grass or thistledown, that is, 
if she can’t get what she likes best. Her choice 
is for nice soft mullein leaves, which she pulls to 
pieces. These, you know, are thick and smooth, 
and must make a warm, dry bed for the little 
larks. 
The brave little mother nests so early that she 
is often caught in a snowstorm. Nests have 
been found with the bird on them, when the 
snow had to be brushed away to get at her, 
actually sitting under the snow. 
When the young larks can run about, and be- 
fore they can fly, the father takes them in charge. 
Then the mother sits again, and hatches out 
another brood. 
The horned lark sings on the wing, as does 
the skylark of Kurope that we ’ve heard so much 
about. It is supposed that he cannot equal that 
famous bird, but so few have heard him, it is 
hardly safe to say so. I once heard a horned 
