147 



SHOEE LARK. 



PLATE LXXII. FIG. I. 



Alauda alpestris, JENTNS. GOULD. EYTON. 



" cornuta, KICHABDSON AND SWALNSON. 



THE nest, which is composed of fine grasses, circularly disposed, and 

 lined with feathers, exactly resembles in colour the moss in which it is 

 embedded, and is placed on the ground, in the desolate regions where 

 moss is almost the only vegetation. 



The eggs are four or five in number, greyish white, spotted with 

 pale blue and brown spots. They are laid in the beginning of July. 



The young, says Mr. Audubon, which are hatched about the middle 

 of July, and fully fledged by the 1st. of August, leave the nest before 

 they are able to fly, and follow their parents over the moss, in which 

 they drop, and endeavour to conceal themselves on the appearance of 

 any danger. They run nimbly, and are fed for about a week. If 

 observed and pursued, the same author further relates that they utter 

 a soft ' peep/ open their wings to aid them in their escape, and separating, 

 make off with great celerity. 



The plate is from a drawing of an egg in the collection of H. F. 

 Walter, Esq., of 67, Russell Square, London. 



