6 FAMILIAR WILD lilRBS. 



when tlying by the shortness of the tail and the rounded 

 appearance of the wings. Roug-h grass lands, where woods, 

 copses, and plantations are scattered about, are the spots 

 most resorted to by the Wo odla rk ; and in the winter, 

 brick-yards and stubble-fields ai-e veiy favourite haunts. 

 Amongst other places, it is commonly met with in the 

 Weald of Sussex, and sometimes, though rarely, on the 

 Downs. 



The food consists of small seeds, grains, insects, eater- 

 pillars, and worms. In periods of long-continued frost 

 or snow they frequent tiie high roads in search of food. 

 When u])()n the ground, the Woodlark walks in a some- 

 what slow and dignified manner, except upon alighting 

 from some aerial journey, when, as soon as it reaches io'ra 

 firnia, it usually runs for a few paces. The bird generally 

 roosts on the ground. Its character is by no means shy 

 or cautious, and on the near approach of danger it will 

 often squat on the ground. 



The song is uttered both wheji^the bird is perched on 

 the bough of somejtree, and when soaring at a great height 

 in the air. The upward flight is made b}^ executing a 

 series of circles, increasing in area as the bird ascends, 

 until the extent of its ascension is reached. During these 

 soarin^novements the altit_ude attained is greater even than 

 that of thft. Skylark, and the song is usually sustained 

 during the entire process. Its return to mother earth is 

 made by a similar series of graduated circular sweei)s, 

 often with the wings extended and motionless. The call- 

 note, which is continually \ittered during flight, somewhat 

 resembles the words '' tweedle, weedle, weedle,'' repeated 

 several times. 



The song of the Woodlark has been I'roquently referred 



