476 ALAUDID2E. 



many of them came into the room to him. The degree of 

 perfection with which they were managed, and the total 

 absence of any influence from fear or restraint on their 

 habits, may be learned by the fact that in the summer of 



1836, a pair of Sky Larks produced four sets of eggs ; in 



1837, the same pair produced three sets of eggs, and reared 

 some of their young ; and in the following year, three females 

 had, each of them, a nest and eggs. The materials for build- 

 ing are sought for and carried by the male bird to the spot 

 selected for the intended nest, near which the female re- 

 mains to assist in arranging them. During the period of 

 producing the eggs, the female has occasionally been heard 

 to sing with a power and variety of tone equal to the voice 

 of her mate. The male Sky Lark, though at other times 

 timid, is, while his female is sitting, bold and pugnacious ; 

 driving every other bird away that ventures too near his 

 charge, both watching and feeding her with unceasing soli- 

 citude. To supply the quantity of insect food necessary 

 during summer, the maggots of the flesh-fly, and the beetle, 

 so common in most kitchens, are principally resorted to. 



Sky Larks constantly dust themselves, appearing to take 

 great pleasure in the operation, shuffling and rubbing them- 

 selves along the ground, setting up their feathers, and by 

 a peculiar action of the legs and wings throwing the 

 smaller and looser portions of the soil over every part of 

 their bodies. This is supposed to be done in order to rid 

 themselves of small parasitic insects. Many ground birds, 

 such as Quails and Partridges, are observed to be invete- 

 rate dusters, their terrestrial habits probably exposing them 

 to the constant attacks of minute but very troublesome 

 visitors. From the number of male Sky Larks sold for 

 cage birds, and the sum obtained for them, twelve or 

 fifteen shillings being a common price for a good bird, 

 various means are practised to entrap them. Though living 



