THE SKYLARK. 



The Skylark shares the fields with the Tree Pipit, 

 and also inhabits the wild pastures bordering the moor- 

 land. Indeed the Lark is very partial to the most 

 elevated pastures, ofttimes shunning the sheltered valleys, 

 and remaining on certain elevated districts throughout 

 the year. I find that the Lark is rather peculiar in its 

 choice of a haunt, sometimes inhabiting certain districts 

 in great plenty, while other localities, differing in no 

 perceptible degree, are but thinly tenanted or abandoned 

 altogether. This is probably owing to the abundance or 

 rarity of certain plants on the seeds of which they feed. 



The song of the Skylark is heard early in February, 

 which by the way is their mating season. Few things 

 conduce more to the beauty and peaceful harmony of 

 the fields than the love song of this aerial chorister. By 

 the first streak of dawn he bounds from the dripping 



