WOOD AND WxlSTE 125 



dock, and has, moreover, on several occa- 

 sions hatched out her brood. The nest 

 is a very deep cup, and much resembles 

 the nest of the Home Lark. There are 

 usuall} four eggs, rather pointed, brown 

 all o\er, with a ring of deeper brown at 

 the thicker end. 



The young are fed on caterpillars, grass- 

 hoppers, and small flies, and one pair 

 under observation seemed to have a little 

 freehold property of their own, a clearly 

 defined area for collection of these supplies, 

 returning again and again to particular 

 runs of rock and sandy flat. When the 

 bill is full — birds can hold their captured 

 booty whilst still continuing to collect, just 

 as they can sing with their mouths full — 

 the old bird w^ould fly off to the nest, 

 always, however, avoiding a direct flight 

 and pausing many times en route for 

 observation and critical inspection of the 

 neighbourhood. Upon the arrival of food, 

 the yomig, at any rate during their last 

 few days in the nest, seem to be unable to 

 forbear an eager twittering and chirping, 

 sounds of rejoicing which must be highly 



