THE LARKS 



1601 



sandy plains or rocky hills, though it comes down to the mud shores of the rivers to 

 drink. It is one of the earliest of the small birds to arrive at its breeding grounds. 

 The snow bunting and the mealy redpoll arrive first, and may be seen running about 

 on the snow some weeks before the ice breaks up; but as soon as the thaw begins 

 in earnest a batch of small birds arrives, among which is sure to be the shore lark. 

 During migration the shore lark is a gregarious bird, and though the first 

 flocks consisted of shore larks only, as soon as the Lapland buntings began to 

 arrive, they seemed to be on the best of terms together, and the later flocks usually 



HORNED OR SHORE LARK. 

 (One-half natural size.) 



consisted of both species. Flocks of pipits were migrating about the same time, 

 and it was very striking to contrast the wildness of these birds with the tameness 

 of the shore larks. The shore lark often sings on the ground, and when apparently 

 too busy feeding to mount in the air for the purpose, will occasionally utter snatches 

 of song. At their breeding places they sing continually, mounting up into the air 

 like a skylark, and singing their charming song as they sail about with wings and 

 tail expanded. The song is very melodious though short, and among its few varia- 

 tions a long drawn-out note often occurs, which resembles much the song of the corn 



