48 THE SMALLER fiRFTfSIf BIRDS. 



beaks; all plain birds as to their plumage, which is mostly brown 

 aud white; all ground builders, like that familiar one that hath 



"It's nest among the gorses, 

 And its song in the star-courses." 



Feeding alike on insects and seeds, and perhaps more on the latter 

 than either the Tits, Wagtails, or Pipits, to all of which they present 

 some points of resemblance, either in their habits or conformation, 

 sometimes in both. They are found all over Europe, and one species 

 at least is known as a native bird in America. 



Except the Wood Lark they all seem to prefer the more open 

 grounds, where they search the fields, pastures, and marshes for food. 

 They do not leap or hop when on the ground, but walk or run ; and 

 when on the wing they fly rapidly, but not generally in a direct 

 manner, their flight being wavering, or undulated, as it is called. 

 They are hardy birds, living through our most rigorous winters, and 

 braving the cold of very severe climates. The Wood Lark appears to 

 be the most delicate of the genus; it is more plentiful in the south 

 than the north, and has not been met with in Scotland. 



Larks belong to the division of birds called Conirostres, those having 

 strong conical- shaped bills, adapted for breaking up hard seeds or 

 grain, on which many species of this order live almost entirely. 



