468 ALAUDID.&. 



found the bird in the full perfection of plumage and song, 

 and here I had an opportunity of studying its habits, which 

 I will now endeavour to describe. 



" The Shore Lark breeds on the high and desolate tracts 

 of Labrador, in the vicinity of the sea. The face of the 

 country appears as if formed of one undulated expanse of 

 granite, covered with mosses and lichens, varying in size 

 and colour, some green, others as white as snow, and others 

 again of every tint, and disposed in large patches or tufts. 

 It is on the latter that this Lark places her nest, which is 

 disposed with so much care, while the moss so resembles 

 the bird in hue, that unless you almost tread upon her as 

 she sits, she seems to feel secure, and remains unmoved. 

 Should you, however, approach so near, she nutters away, 

 feigning lameness so cunningly, that none but one ac- 

 customed to the sight can refrain from pursuing her. The 

 male immediately joins her in mimic wretchedness, uttering 

 a note so soft and plaintive, that it requires a strong 

 stimulus to force the naturalist to rob the poor birds of 

 their treasure. 



" The nest around is imbedded in the moss to its edges, 

 which is composed of fine grasses, circularly disposed, and 

 forming a bed about two inches thick, with a lining of 

 Grouse feathers, and those of other birds. In the beginning 

 of July the eggs are deposited. They are four or five in 

 number, large, greyish, and covered with numerous pale 

 blue and brown spots. The young leave the nest before 

 they are able to fly, and follow their parents over the moss, 

 where they are fed about a week. They run nimbly, emit 

 a soft peep, and squat closely at the first appearance of 

 danger. If observed and pursued, they open their wings 

 to aid them in their escape, and, separating, make off with 

 great celerity. On such occasions it is difficult to secure 

 more than one of them, unless several persons be present, 



