THE SKY-LARK. 



This well-known bird is a great favourite. It inha- 

 bits most, if not all the countries of Europe, preferring 

 cultivated districts, particularly arable lands when un- 

 inclosed. Grahame might well say — 



" Thou, simple bird, dwellest in a home 

 The humblest," 



for it is placed on the ground, and frequently sheltered 

 by a clod of earth, or a tuft of herbage. And with 

 equal truth he might add — 



" The daisied lea he loves, when tufts of grass, 

 Luxuriant crown the ridge ; there, with his mate, 

 He founds their lowly house, of withered bents. 

 And coarsest spear-grass : next, the inner nook 

 With finer and still finer fibres lays. 

 Rounding it curious with his speckled breast." 



Sky-larks have usually two broods in the year on the 

 same grounds. The eggs are four or five, of a dull 

 greenish white, mottled with brown. The first brood is 

 usually fledged in June, and the second in August ; but 



I 



