114 BRITISH BIRDS. 



in those parts of the country where the snow lies long, 

 it is probable there is seldom more than one brood. 



The song of the sky -lark is cheerful, though monoto- 

 nous : but here is another description : — 



*' With fluttering start, in silence, from her nest 

 The sky-lark breaks : then, steadier, upwards soars, 

 And, with melodious trill, her prelude pours 

 To earth, in hues of full-flushed summer drest; 

 Now, poised on moveless wing, she seems to rest, 

 Careless what bird, beneath the airy height, 

 May stop her path with horizontal flight. 

 The measured lay she breathes : — then, like a guest. 

 Singing to other spheres, is lost in light. 

 Till, fondly lured, she turns her faithful breast 

 Downwards through fields of blue. The warbling strain 

 Near and more near she swells; then, hushed again, 

 Falls like a shadow from the sunny dome. 

 And chaunts her three wild notes, to welcome home." 



It has been observed by a naturalist, that if the lark 

 hears the voice of its mate, it falls to the earth appa- 

 rently like a stone ; but that this does not take place 

 during the period of incubation, or before the young 

 birds have left the nest. At such times, the lark, in its 

 descent, flies along the surface of the field, and ahghts 

 at some distance from its nest. And why is this ? " It 

 is evident," he says, " that this foresight is given to it 

 by its benevolent Creator, for the better preservation of 

 its young ; as, if it alighted at its nest, the spot might 



