COMMON BRITISH BIRDS 



45 



with dusky streaks, rump yellowish. A yellow streak 

 above and rather behind the eye, neck, breast and belly 

 yellow, sides and rest of under parts white, with a few 

 dusky streaks. Lesser wing-coverts as back, greater 

 coverts black tipped yellow, rest of wing brownish- 

 black, feathers edged yellow, tail dusky, most of the 

 feathers having a yellow spot near the base. Female : 

 more dull. 



Note. A simple piping call is the note usually heard 

 with us. 



Distinguishing Feature. The small size, black on head, 

 and greenish plumage. Fearlessness of man is charac- 

 teristic of the Siskin, allowing one to watch it within a few 



Nest. In bush or hedge. 



Eggs. Bluish-white with reddish-brown spots. 



Haunts. The most likely spots to see the Siskin are 

 clumps of alder- or birch-trees. In such situations small 

 flocks of this pleasing little bird may occasionally be 

 met with in the winter and spring, busily hunting for food. 



SKYLARK. (R. Larks.) 



Size. Sparrow, large. 



Colour. Sandy brown, with dark centres to feathers : 

 white tips to some wing-feathers, outer tail-feathers 

 white. Slight crest. 



Note. The song of the Skylark is one of those well 

 known to most people. It almost invariably sings 

 flying at a considerable height, ascending in wide 

 spirals, singing as it rises, and continuing as it slowly 

 descends, often until within a few feet of the ground. 

 It sings without interruption or pause longer than any 

 other bird. Whilst most songs consist of more or less 

 short strains repeated, or a succession of single or double 

 notes uttered with pauses between, the Skylark's 

 song is one long sustained trill. 



Distinguishing Feature. The rather large size, slight 

 crest and sandy-brown plumage with dark markings. 

 In flight the inside edge of the wings appears whitish. 

 Fond of having a dustbath in the roads. The song. 



Nest.- On the ground in open field, lined hair, ,. 



Eggs. Greenish-brown, thickly speckled and mottled 

 darker brown. 



Haunts. Open fields. Does not perch on trees, 

 though occasionally on tops of hedge*. . 



