i9 BRITISH BIRDS, WITH THEIR NESTS AND EGGS. 



In summer the Shore-Lark inhabits the dry sandy plains and rock}' hills of 

 the tundras only approaching the rivers to drink. Seebohm says that it seems to 

 be entirely a ground bird, and he never saw it either on a tree or a bush. 



Bveryone speaks well of the song of the Shore-Lark, for although it is short 

 and not very varied it is full of melody. It is sung by the bird not only when 

 on the earth but, as with the Sky-Lark, much more frequently when the bird is 

 soaring in the air. At such times it is said to atone for the brevity of its song 

 by repeating it over and over again : this is practically what Alauda arvensis does 

 if you take the trouble to listen to him attentively. The call-note is described as 

 loud and clear. 



As is the case with all our Larks this species forms its nest in a slight 

 depression in the earth or among stones ; sometimes entirely unprotected, but at 

 other times under the shelter of rushes. The nest, owing to the country where 

 it is constructed, naturally differs somewhat in its materials from those of the 

 Larks with which we are familiar in England ; externally it is similar, being 

 formed of dead grasses, bents, etc.; but internally it is lined with willow-down 

 and reindeer hair. The eggs number from four to five, rarely three (the latter 

 probably not representing a full clutch) and chiefly differ from those of the Sky- 

 Lark in their generally more olive tint. 



To show how easily this apparently conspicuous species may be overlooked, 

 Mr. Fenwick Hole in the "Field" for Nov. igth, 1864, recorded the fact of his 

 shooting a pair, of which he only secured one, under the impression that they 

 were common Sky- Larks. He says " I was only led to shoot at them at all from 

 a desire to try my big duck gun at such small objects on the ground ; you may 

 therefore judge of my surprise, when picking up the dead specimen, at my double 

 stroke of good luck firstly, chancing to alight on such a rarity ; and secondly, 

 firing at it at all." 



Speaking of three specimens shot out of a flock of about twenty at Lowestoft 

 in February, 1865, the late Henry Stevenson says: "The contents of their crops 

 * * * appeared to consist of seeds of Polygonacece and the chrysalis of some 

 small insect." 



The food of this Lark consists very largely of seeds, although in the summer 

 insects, their larvae, and pupae, as well (doubtless) as spiders are eaten ; it also 

 devours small mollusca and Crustacea cast up on the sea-shore. 



Being both tame, beautiful, and musical, the Shore-Lark is often caged ; and 

 of late years, it has frequently been exhibited at bird-shows. 



Herr Gatke observes : " On account of its pleasing appearance I have kept 

 one of these birds for years in a cage. The song, though by no means loud, is 



