BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 463 



The neck and breast are spotted with darkish 

 brown ; legs and toes pale brown ; claws light 

 horn colour. 



The female is very similar to the male, but is 

 said to lack breast spots. 



Situation and Locality. On or near the ground 

 under furze and other small bushes, in tufts of tall 

 rank grass growing at the foot of a hedgerow, and 

 similar situations affording plenty of cover. In 

 woods, on commons, fens, clumps of trees with 

 plenty of undercover, thickets, and coppices. Pretty 

 generally throughout England and Wales, but 

 more sparingly distributed in Scotland and Ireland. 

 The position of the nest and the skulking, mouse- 

 like habits of its owner make it very difficult 

 to find. 



Materials. Strong dry grass and moss, with an 

 inner lining of finer grass. The nest is pretty deep 

 and well built. 



Eggs. Four to seven, pale rosy-white, profusely 

 spotted and speckled all over with reddish-brown. 

 Sometimes the markings are more numerous at 

 the larger end, and occasionally a few thin, hair- 

 like streaks are present. Size about .72 by .54 in. 

 (See Plate IV.) 



Time. May, June, and July. 



Remarks. Migratory, arriving in April and May, 

 and departing in September. Notes : call, tic, tic ; 

 song, a chirping noise, similar to that made by 

 a grasshopper, but louder and longer. Local and 

 other names : Reeler, Cricket-Bird, Grasshopper Lark. 

 Leaves the nest quietly and quickly, in the most 

 mouse-like fashion, and hides in the surrounding 

 undergrowth. 



