MIMICRY OF SKYLARK 209 



It should be observed that on the hills near 

 Stroud, where larks abound, the magpie is a common 

 bird. The "sheep's bleat" above mentioned is difficult 

 to identify in so musical a voice as that of the sky- 

 lark ; it is a short but distinct sound, only to be 

 described in the word baa. 



Mr. Harting writes : " I have frequently noted 

 in Sussex, Essex, and Norfolk, that in marshes near 

 the coast, where the skylarks have constant oppor- 

 tunity of hearing the notes of the ringed plover, 

 they, either consciously or unconsciously, imitate 

 them so perfectly that I have been momentarily 

 puzzled to know which species was calling " (in 

 14 



