202 THE LARKS 



2. Distribution. Found throughout the greater part of Europe, except 

 Northern Scandinavia and Russia, and also in North-west Africa and South-west 

 Asia, but everywhere a local species. In the British Isles it is apparently de- 

 creasing in England, except in one or two localities in the south and in some 

 parts of E. Anglia and in Devon, where it is still common, but has disappeared 

 from many districts in the midlands where it formerly nested, and now rarely 

 occurs in the northern counties. It also breeds in mid and south Wales, and 

 in Co. Wicklow and perhaps also in Co. Cork in Ireland, but apparently not in 

 Scotland. [F. c. B. J.] 



3. Migration. Resident in the parts of the British Isles where it breeds, 

 but also migratory to a slight extent in some districts, appearing in winter in 

 localities where it does not nest. It is also a rare migrant on the east coast of 

 Great Britain (cf. Nelson, B. of Yorks., 1907, p. 258), and considering the species' 

 British and Continental distribution, the record of a few remaining at Fair Isle 

 (Shetlands) in the early winter of 1906, is very remarkable (cf. W. Eagle Clarke, 

 Annals Scot. Nat. Hist., 1907, p. 71). It is non-gregarious as a rule, rarely asso- 

 ciating in anything more than family parties, but Gatke has a single record of a 

 flock of 50-60 individuals (cf. Heligoland as an Orn. Obs., 1895, p. 357). [A. L. T.] 



4. Nest and Eggs. Nesting place : generally on or close to the ground, 

 but sheltered by bracken, heath, or grass. Nest : moss and bents, lined with 

 finer grasses, and sometimes a few hairs. (PI. vn.) Whether the cock shares in 

 the construction of the nest is not recorded. Eggs usually 4, sometimes 5, and 

 very rarely 6, dirty white in ground colour, and spotted with hair brown or 

 reddish brown, and underlying grey markings. Sometimes a zone is formed 

 round the big end. (PL B.) Average size of 100 eggs, '83 x -61 in. 

 [21 '12x15*59 mm.]. Breeding begins in the latter part of March, but as two 

 or three broods are reared the eggs may be found till late in June. Incubation 

 lasts 14-15 days, and is apparently performed by the hen, which is a close 

 sitter. [F. c. B. j.] 



5. Food. The species is mainly insectivorous, but seeds and other vegetable 

 matter are also taken. The young are fed by both sexes on caterpillars, flies, and 

 other insects (W. Farren). [A. L. T.] 



6. Song Period. Much the same as the skylark. If we exclude the 

 period of moult, Gilbert White's statement may be regarded as approximately 

 correct: "In January, and continues to sing all through the summer and 

 autumn" (Letter to Pennant, Nov. 2, 1769). [F. B. K.] 



