THE WOOD LAEK 



(Alauda arborea) 



THERE are few British birds more locally distributed than 

 the Wood Lark, and the farther north we go the rarer it 

 becomes. Although very closely resembling the Sky Lark 

 in its general appearance, it may readily be distinguished 

 from that bird, even on the wing, by its much shorter tail. 

 Its habits and the haunts it frequents are, however, very 

 different. We must not search for the Wood Lark on the 

 breezy upland pastures, or even in the wide expanse of 

 meadow land and common so dear to the Sky Lark, but in 

 localities where trees are numerous, with plenty of open 

 spaces between them, such as old parks and by the edges of 

 woods and plantations. It also loves the southern heaths, 

 which are generally thickly studded with bushes and small 

 trees. As its name rightly implies, it is a bird of the timber ; 

 where there are no trees we never find any Wood Larks. 

 This charming little songster is so much sought after by the 

 bird-catcher, its reputation as a cage bird being great, that in 

 many localities where it formerly used to be common it has 

 been wantonly almost exterminated. When once settled in 

 a certain district it rarely strays far away during the summer, 

 and the observer will generally find it at home, no matter 

 what hour of the day he may seek it. In many of its habits 

 the Wood Lark very closely resembles the Tree Pipit. Like 

 that bird it has a favourite haunt to which it closely keeps ; 



