126 FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



some parts of No^Tolk; and Very i)robab]y it visits several 

 other localities with more or less re*^ularity that have 

 hitherto escaped the cognisance' of the naturalist, liut be 

 this as it may, it cannot be denied that the bird is rarer iind 

 much mure sparinj^-ly distributed than could be wished. 



The Shore^Lark is found in the laro*^i numbers in 

 North America, es])ecially on the colder shores, and it is 

 also siiicl to be seen in the northern parts of Europe and 

 Asiii. According" to Temminek, it breeds in Holland, and 

 remains in that country throug^hout the entire year. 

 The bird is hardy in its constitution, and although 



compiled by severe weather to move southward in 



search of milder quarters, as soon as the summer appears 

 it immediately retraces its steps towards the cold and 

 barren coasts of the far North. 



Its mig-ration, if it may be so called, is generally 

 accomplished in small com])anies, and the birds do not 

 undertake long journeys at a time, but straggle, as it 

 were, from one place to another as the exigencies of the 

 weather may necessitate. 



The Shore Lark is somewhat shy in its halnts, ex- 

 cept during incubation, at which time tlie bird becomes 

 bolder. After the brood is hatched it evinces great 

 anxiety and solicitude for its offspring. The parent is 

 said to be quite an expert in the various ruses adoj^ted 

 by many birds for decoying intruders from the nest, 

 fluttering along the ground with assumed lameness, and 

 continually uttering a low plaintive cry. 



The nest is always placed upon the ground, and is not 

 easily discovered, as the materials used in its construction 

 are of the same colour and appearance as the surrounding 

 ground; it is circular in shaj)e and Iniilt of fine grass. Four 



