22 AN EAST COAST NATURALIST 



INCOMING OF LARKS 



Amongst the most regular and observable of the 

 migrants arriving in autumn is the Skylark. Usually 

 steadily, in small compact flocks, varying from half 

 a dozen to fifty in number, they are to be seen at all 

 hours of the day flitting overhead, at times flock 

 succeeding flock so incessantly, that on either 

 hand it is seldom a Lark is beyond one^s vision. 

 This occurs in October ; and the bird, from what I 

 have observed of it, prefers to start upon its journey 

 in fairly still weather. At daybreak the advance 

 flocks are seen trooping in, their scattered bands, in 

 undulating flight, moving very near the surface of 

 the sea. As the day brightens, succeeding flocks, 

 flying still higher and higher, at length pass over, 

 often far beyond gunshot. They fly due east to 

 west. It is rarely they settle upon the sands, but 

 press on to the marshlands, still flying inland 

 without halting if the passage has not proved 

 wearisome. At times they are glad to rest a short 

 space on the sandhills. They do not always escape 

 untoward changes in the atmosphere: occasionally 

 wing-weary flocks alight upon vessels at sea, and 



