THE WOOD-LARK 117 



Wood-Larks and especially those whose nest is 

 in fairly thick grass or bracken (the light sitters 

 usually possessing a very open home) sit very closely 

 indeed, when, as you beat out the haunt, the 

 affrighted bird flutters off underfoot, often trailing 

 along the ground with expanded wings and tail, 

 and as if hurt. 



After being flushed, the hen, frequently joined 

 by the cock, alternately stands on some ant-hill, 

 mole-heap, or other slight eminence of the soil, 

 and runs along the level, occasionally indulging 

 in short, circular flights close past the trespasser, 

 uttering repeatedly the flute-like and musical 

 alarm-cry of tee-i-u, which, with variations, is used 

 as a call-note in winter. Sometimes a pair at their 

 nest will keep well away, and evince no concern 

 for its welfare at all. With young there, however, 

 agitation is always shown. Then male and female 

 both fly round an intruder crying distractedly. 

 From repeatedly visiting their nest I mean in 

 the ordinary way especially when it is in bracken 

 the birds form a regular ' creep "or ' run ' 

 to it, though I have never seen one of these 

 ' paths ' leading up to a nest containing eggs 

 only, unless, of course, there has been rain. 



Although it is a fact that in some of its southern- 

 most English haunts the Wood-Lark may be 

 heard singing in nearly every month of the 

 calendar, this is seldom, if ever, so in Wales. 

 There the delightful refrain (which can be imitated 



