SKY LARK 



LAVROCK FIELD LARK. 



PLATE LXXIV. FIGURE I. 

 Alauda arvensis, . . . . . . LINNAEUS. 



THE nest, which is frequently commenced as early as 

 April, is placed in a hollow in the ground, with or 

 without the fortuitous shelter of a clod of earth or tuft of 

 herbage. It is placed in various situations, and is made 

 of grasses, and a few chance leaves, the coarser outside, 

 the finer on the inner part. The male bird appears to 

 bring the materials to the spot, where the female is 

 engaged in arranging them. The young are hatched in 

 about fourteen or fifteen days ; they do not quit the nest 

 until fairly fledged, but return to it to roost at night for 

 some time after they have left it. Two broods are usually 

 produced in the season. 



The eggs, three, four, or five in number, vary much 

 both in form and colour ; some are of a greyish-white 

 colour, with a tinge of purple or green, and freckled or 

 mottled nearly all over with a darker shade of grey, greyish 



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