NATURAL HISTORY. 247 



&quot; The cleft tree 



Offers its kind concealment to a few, 

 Their food its insects, and its moss their nests.&quot; THOMSON. 



753. Why does the house-sparrow pertinaciously appropriate to 

 its own use the nest of other birds ? 



Because sparrows occupy their 

 nests at night throughout the 

 year ; and, though they are 

 hardy birds, they require warm 

 shelter during severe frosts, and 

 therefore seize upon any con 

 venience which they can find 

 best adapted to their purpose. 



754. Why is the sparrow comparatively late in awaking in the 

 morning ? 



Because it roosts in holes, and under the eaves of ricks, or 

 sheds, where the light does not so soon enter as in open places. 



755. Why is the claw upon the hind toe of the lark of greater 

 length than is to be found generally in other birds ? 



Because the lark is a field bird, nestling on the ground, and 

 deriving its food from the earth ; and the peculiar conformation of 

 the foot enables the bird to run on thick matted grass, or to rise 

 from it, or alight on it, with much less inconvenience than almost 

 any other bird. 



756. Larks are fleet runners, and they stand up for observation, with their heads 

 above the cover ; the head, which is generally crested, and has the crest erected, 

 not being easily distinguishable from a clod. 



757. What especial use does the lark make of its disportionally 

 long claws ? 



The lark makes its nest generally in grass fields, where it is 



