THE SKYLARK. 281 
able to obtain at that inclement season. They often associate 
with the Snow Buntings, and sometimes make short excur- 
sions inland. I have seen them on the beach busily search- 
ing among the seaweed for small shell-fish and animalcules ; 
and, in country roads, have observed that they visit the drop- 
pings of horses and cattle for the seeds contained in them. 
By the middle of March, the Shore-larks leave New Eng- 
land for the North, where they breed, and spend the summer. 
Audubon says, of their breeding habits, — 
“The Shore-lark breeds on the high and desolate tracts of 
Labrador, in the vicinity of the sea. The face of the country 
appears as if formed of one undulated expanse of dark granite, 
covered with mosses and lichens, varying in size and color; some 
green, others as white as snow, and others again of every tint, and 
disposed in large patches or tufts. It is on the latter that the Lark 
places her nest, which is disposed with so much care, while the moss 
so resembles the bird in hue, that, unless you almost tread upon her 
as she sits, she seems to feel secure, and remains unmoved. Should 
you, however, approach so near, she flutters away, feigning lameness 
so cunningly that none but one accustomed to the sight can refrain 
from pursuing her. The male immediately joins her in mimic 
wretchedness, uttering a note so soft and plaintive that it requires 
a strong stimulation to force the naturalist to rob the poor birds of 
their treasure. 
“The nest, which is embedded in the moss to its edges, is com- 
posed of fine grasses, circularly disposed, and forming a bed about 
two inches thick, with a lining of grouse-feathers and those of other 
birds. In the beginning of July, the eggs are deposited. They 
are four or five in number, large, grayish, and covered with numer- 
ous ‘pale-blue and brown spots. The young leave the nest be- 
fore they are able to fly, and follow their parents over the moss, 
where they are fed about a week. They run nimbly, emit a soft 
prep, and squat closely at the first appearance of danger. If ob- 
served and pursued, they open their wings to aid them in their 
escape, and, separating, make off with great celerity. On such 
aecasions, it is difficult to secure more than one of them, unless 
several persons be present, when each can pursue a bird. The 
